The Selangor state exco member for Islamic affairs, Dr Hasan Ali, today expressed the need for the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) to truly abide by the pending new standard operating procedures (SOP), especially in conducting enforcement activities.
Speaking to media after launching the Selangor Identity Convention, Hasan said he supported Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim’s announcement yesterday to fine-tune the SOP.
“I fully support the move. Actually the SOP was there, but there was lack of implementation,’ conceded Hasan.
“So should there be any improvement on the SOP, I will make sure the Jais director truly follows the guidelines, especially in enforcement-related activities,” he said.
He was coy when asked about whether the existing SOP is inadequate, saying that it is rather technical.
“But I believe Jais should have a checklist [of procedures] before they launch any operation,” he said.
Yesterday, the Sultan of Selangor said he had studied the report on the raid conducted by Jais on Aug 3 during a church’s thanksgiving dinner and he agreed that no legal action should be taken against any quarter.
The Damansara Utama Methodist Church was allegedly attempting to proselytise to Muslims at the function.
Following the decree, Khalid said the state government had set up a special committee to fine-tune the Selangor Islamic Religious Department’s (Jais) Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in cases of proselytisation to Muslims.
Meanwhile, Hasan said he had only read about the arrest of comedian, TV host and lyricist Bob Lokman, by Jais, in newspapers this morning.
“If Lokman did not adhere to Jais regulations, the department is compelled to take action against him,” he said.
Lokman was said to have been arrested while delivering a tazkirah in a surau in Hulu Langat, and was taken to a nearby police station.
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Dr Keith Tan Kay Hin
