| Issue Of Dr Asri's Arrest Must Be Resolved Fast - Jamil Khir |
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KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2 (Bernama) -- The case of former Perlis Mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin must be resolved fast as he was arrested, then released on bond by the syariah court and yet no charge was made against him, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Jamil Khir Baharom.
"He was asked to be at the court at 9am but until noon he was not told whether he was going to be charged. This should not happen," the minister said after his meeting with Asri for almost an hour here Monday.
He said the meeting was to get clarification from Asri on his arrest by Selangor Islamic Religious Affairs Department (Jais) officers last night, allegedly for teaching Islam without the certification of authority.
Asri when met thanked all those who supported and questioned Jais' action against him including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
"There are many who teach religion without such official authorisation but why was I the one arrested? This is selective persecution," he said.
Today, members of parliament also joined the chorus of criticism against Jais' action, with some viewing it as abuse of power.
Datuk Seri Abdul Ghapur Salleh (BN-Kalabakan) said the National Fatwa Council should seek for uniformity of syariah law in all the states to prevent indiscriminate action by religious enforcement officers.
"I find it strange if the ulama (Islamic scholars) are not allowed to give religious talks, unless if they are spreading deviationist teachings," he said when debating the Supply Bill 2010 in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Datuk Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) said religious enforcement officers should think and act wisely as Islam is a sacred religion.
"As they look after religion, they need to be enlightened accordingly. They cannot do as they please," he said.
The call for uniformity of syariah law for all the states was also supported by the opposition MPs.
Zuraida Kamaruddin (PKR-Ampang), who was arrested together with Asri, said the government must explain the authorisation issue pertaining to religious talks so that the public would understand.
Zulkifli Noordin (PKR-Kulim Bandar Baru) said the Perak Mufti had before failed to deliver a talk in Johor as the request was rejected by the Johor Islamic Religious Affairs Department.
The issue of Asri's arrest also cropped up during the question-and-answer session.
-- BERNAMA
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