Set up Islamic Development Ministry, says MP

The Star (9/5/08): There should be a Ministry of Islamic Development in keeping with the number of Muslims in the country instead of just departments to manage Islamic affairs, a PAS MP told the House yesterday.

Datuk Taib Azzamuddin Mohd Taib (PAS – Baling) called on the Government to overhaul and restructure the national Islamic development programmes.

“Muslims in this country should have their own ministry of Islamic development, and not a mere department to manage Islamic affairs.

“The Government has failed to manage Islamic-related programmes properly, such as Islamic family management affairs, legal affairs, economy and education.

“The authorities also failed to properly guide Muslim converts or tackle issues related to murtad (apostasy),” he said in his motion of thanks on the royal address.

Taib Azzamuddin said the creation of a mere department – Islamic Development Department (Jakim) – to manage Islamic affairs, provide viewpoints and advise on Islamic-related matters showed that the Government did not take Islamic matters seriously.

“The Government is talking about increasing policemen, but there is only a small number of Islamic department officers compared to the large Muslim population in the country.”

Taib Azzamuddin said even Islamic television programmes were broadcast late at night instead of during prime time.

“Programmes like Bicara Mufti can only be seen at 1.30am. Who wants to watch the show at this hour?” he added.

Call for specific law to deal with apostasy

NST (7/5/08): A Barisan Nasional backbencher has called on the government to draw up a specific law to deal with apostasy and his proposal received immediate support from Pas MPs.

Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi (BN-Batu Pahat) made the call following a suggestion in the House last week by MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting (BN-Kulai) to allow non-Muslims who had converted to Islam leave the faith if their marriage to Muslims ended in divorce.

Mohd Puad, who is the Batu Pahat Umno division chairman, said there should be a law to deal with the issue in view of the increasing number of apostates.

Speaking during the debate on the King's speech, he also called on the authorities to streamline the functions and role of the centres that were rehabilitating Muslims who had strayed from the faith.

"This will enable these centres to play their role in a more effective manner."
His proposal found agreement among some members of the opposition, particularly those from Pas.

Nasharuddin Mat Isa (Pas-Bachok) in agreeing with Mohd Puad, said besides having a law on apostasy, the authorities should make clearer the syariah on the subject.

"There is now much confusion surrounding it."

The Pas vice-president said although the civil law stated that one could not force a person to convert to another religion, the syariah on the other hand did not allow a person to leave Islam.

As such, Nasharuddin said clarity should be sought over the issue.

"We are still not clear as there are insufficient procedural laws when it comes to syariah. This must also be looked into."

Taib Azamudden Md Taib (Pas-Baling), a former Masjid Negara imam, said when a person converted to Islam, the person would be totally immersed and bound by the provisions as contained in the Islamic law.

"I agree with the member for Batu Pahat on the need for such a law. We need to look at the reasons why there are cases of apostasy," he said.

"With such a law in place, it will make it essential for all Muslims to understand the full nature of the religion," he said.

PTPTN loan not burdensome, says Khaled

Bernama (6/5/08): The Higher Education Ministry has dismissed a claim that the National Higher Education Corporation (PTPTN) loan is burdensome.

Instead, it was an effective financial facility for those eligible, Minister Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin told the Dewan Rakyat Tuesday.

He said the government had no plans to abolish the PTPTN because it wanted to ensure no students were unable to further their studies due to lack of funds.

"The PTPTN is not burdensome because the borrowers only need to start paying back six months after completing their studies as low as RM70 monthly, depending on the amount borrowed," he said in reply to Taib Azamuddin Md Taib (PAS-Baling).

If the borrowers had yet to obtain a job or decided to further their education to a higher level, they could apply to postpone the repayment, he added.

In addition to the PTPTN, the government also offered scholarships to Bumiputera students in certain fields through the Public Service Department (PSD), Mara and other agencies, Khaled said.

"This year alone, the government has sponsored 2,000 students to further their education overseas and 10,000 students locally.

"Besides that, the PSD will also sponsor all Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia holders with 9As to further their studies either at Form 6 in government schools or matriculation centres," he said.

He said that to ensure the PTPTN loan was not burdensome, the ministry was reviewing its operations including imposing a three percent interest on the borrowers to cover the costs.

"The ministry will also study some changes to the repayment system by taking into account all views," he said in reply to Nasharudin Mat Isa (PAS-Bachok).

PAS wants ministry to manage Islamic affairs

The Sun (8/5/08): The government should have a specific ministry to manage Islamic affairs rather than attaching the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) as a unit under the Prime Minister’s Department.

Debating on the motion of thanks on the Royal Address in Parliament today, Taib Azamuden Mohd Taib (PAS-Baling) said the present situation put Islamic affairs in a small position.

"The management and administration of Islam in our country has yet to reach the actual standard, in line with contemporary demands. That’s why there are many things related to Islam which are incomplete or troublesome.

"Having once served in Jakim for a long time, I feel strongly for this department," said the PAS central committee member who is former National Mosque chief imam.

He said among the issues yet to be managed efficiently by the government are the Muslim converts, apostasy, fatwa (ruling), zakat (tithe), enforcement on vice activities and haj (pilgrimage).

He also urged the government to seriously show its commitment towards Islamic development so that matters related to the religion are dealt with more professionally.

"For example, the National Mosque chief imam is a contract post. Where is the commitment in enhancing Islam? True, many beautiful district religious offices were built but the manpower is very poor with only one degree holder in each office.

"Islamic television programmes such as Bicara Mufti and Khutbah Jumaat are slotted at 1.30am and after midnight. Who would be watching at this hour? Is this what is meant by Islam Hadhari? Where is the image of Islam?" he asked.

'Need for Act to govern apostasy cases'

The Sun (6/5/08): The country needs an Act to govern apostasy cases to avoid confusion and misunderstanding among multi-racial Malaysians, said Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi (BN-Batu Pahat).

"The questions we need to clarify are whether permission can be given for a Muslim to renounce Islam, how to stop Muslims from becoming an apostate, the issue of faith rehabilitation and the status of a Muslim convert who wish to return to his (or her) original religion.

"That is why I said this act must be drafted quickly," he said when debating the motion of thanks for the Royal Address in the Dewan Rakyat (Parliament) today.

Chong Eng (DAP-Bukit Mertajam) asked whether he was referring to a Malay who is born a Muslim or the non-Malays who converted to Islam.

Puad said: "Such a question is the reason why there is a need for a law to govern these matters."

"In Islam, when one becomes as Muslim, he or she is bound by certain regulations. There is no compulsion in religion, meaning no one should be forced to become a Muslim.

"But, once someone has embraced Islam, he (or she) must adhere to Islamic teachings. The process of law about this must be clear so that there is no confusion," he added.

Chong asked whether Islam allowed its believers to renounce the religion like what is practised in other religions.

Puad said everyone must respect each other’s religion and in Islam, there is a certain guideline when dealing with the issue of apostates and a Muslim cannot leave the religion as and when he likes.

Supporting Puad, Nasharuddin Mat Isa (PAS-Bachok) said there are two kinds of laws concerning the issue of apostasy, namely substantive and procedural laws.

"And our procedural law has yet to reach a level that we can be proud of and must be improved," he added.

Taib Azamudden Md Taib (PAS-Baling) said he agreed with Puad on the need for a law on apostasy to enable Muslims who want to renounce the religion to be called by the authorities to explain himself.

"With the Act, it will not be interpreted that it is easy for someone to walk in and out of Islam like walking in and out of a shop," he added.

On another matter, Puad said government-linked companies which are allowed to invest in foreign businesses must be careful and learn from the experience of Singapore.

He also said the government should consider revoking its policy of teaching Science and Mathematics in English.