SHAH ALAM: The Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) has denied allegations that the detention of former Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad in connection with a khalwat (proximity) case was an act of persecution or a "frame-up”.
MAIS chairman Datuk Salehuddin Saidin said the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) had acted based on an official complaint and in accordance with established legal procedures, without manipulating the situation to target any individual.
"The suggestion that the religious department was involved in manipulation or anything of the sort is entirely untrue. We have a legal obligation...when a complaint is lodged, we are required to conduct a thorough investigation.
"Rest assured, JAIS will carry out the investigation as diligently as possible, and if there is clear evidence, we will proceed with charges in court,” he said on Saturday (Oct 17)
Salehuddin said the case was made public to clarify that Syariah laws were enforced fairly, regardless of the background or influence of the individual under investigation.
He also urged the public to allow JAIS sufficient time and space to complete its investigation and refrain from speculation that could compromise the fairness of the legal process.
"We cannot pass judgment while the investigation is still incomplete. We must act fairly and carry out our duties in accordance with the regulations. If we were to act outside these regulations, we ourselves would be subject to accusations,” he said.
Earlier, Nik Nazmi confirmed in a statement on Instagram that he was one of two individuals detained by JAIS in Petaling Jaya on Thursday (Oct 15) over allegations of khalwat.
He said he was prepared to cooperate with any legal proceedings.
On a separate case involving a local youth suspected of participating in the rituals of another religion, Salehuddin said preliminary findings suggested that the individual’s actions were, so far, a matter of personal belief.
However, he said JAIS was examining various forms of digital evidence, including social media posts concerning rituals at Batu Caves that had been linked to other belief systems. – Bernama
