Jamil Khir warns Bar Council chief off Muslim affairs

(Bernama) – Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom today reminded Bar Council president Lim Chee Wee to respect the sensitivities of Muslims by not interfering in Islamic religious affairs.

“The issues of Islam are too sensitive to be discussed by the non-Muslims and this is a common understanding among the multi-racial and multi-religious people in Malaysia.

“I cannot understand when somebody who understands this ‘unwritten’ regulation (but) still [tries] to interfere in matters concerning the mufti institution and Islamic affairs.”

He said this to reporters after attending the seminar on Understanding Wassatiyah and the Concept of 1 Malaysia launched by Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam here today.

He was commenting on Lim’s recent statement that the amendment to Kedah Mufti and Fatwa Committee Enactment 2008, which barred all fatwa (edicts) from being challenged in court, was unconstitutional.

In another development, Jamil Khir also reminded Malaysians not to hold any more gatherings at the Nabawi Mosque in Medina and Masjidil Haram (the Grand Mosque) in Mecca as organised by certain quarters on April 26.

He said the message was conveyed to him by the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Malaysia following their concern over the security issues in the two locations.

Jamil Khir said the decision concerning the quota for Malaysian hajj pilgrims would also be known through a letter from the Saudi government next month.