JOHOR BARU: Johor has set up a centre that not only helps rehabilitate the faith of deviant group members but also those involved in same-sex relationships or LGBTQ lifestyles.
State Islamic religious affairs committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid said the Johor government has allocated RM400,000 to set up the Pusat Pemulihan dan Rumah Pemurniaan Syariah Islam, located along Jalan Dato Menteri here.
“This centre is not only created for those that have their faith distorted but also placing individuals practising same-sex relationships that have been convicted by the Syariah Court so that they be able to come back to normal life.
“This rehabilitation centre for those practising same-sex relationships is the first of its kind in Malaysia, which has been fully operational since July last year,” he said in a statement here on Thursday (Feb 13).
Mohd Fared also added that the Johor Islamic Religious Council (MAINJ) has allocated some RM14mil to build an academy centre in Pulai area here.
He said the state government, through the Johor Mufti Department, would be setting up the Aswaja Academy which will be a public reference when it comes to matters involving deviation of belief and teachings not in line with Ahli Sunnah Wal Jammah of the Al Aisyairah Al Muturidiah school of thought.
“Since 1994, the council, through the fatwa committee meeting, chaired by Johor Mufti, has issued a fatwa against 22 various groups for being deviant.
“From the figure, four groups have yet to be gazetted while three groups will be gazetted as deviant from the true Islamic teaching this year,” he added.
Mohd Fared said the state government was stern and would continue to give its full commitment to identifying and handling issues related to deviant teachings without any compromise.
“This is a responsibility in ensuring that the Muslim faith in Johor will be upheld and the public harmony is maintained,” he said adding that enforcement action through enactments with legal action would be carried out to curb any deviant teachings.
