SHAH ALAM – The Selangor assembly was told today that the state will not approve any applications for credentials for religious or Islamic teachings from political figures.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the matter had received the consent of members of the Selangor Royal Council in a meeting held on March 4, 2019.
Amirudin clarified that the Selangor Islamic Religious Council credentials committee had on April 6 decided that any politician holding teaching credentials that are still valid may retain them until the expiry date, subject to conditions.
He said the conditions are that during talks, they must not touch on political party issues, mention or link specific individuals, or spread slander, and must remain ethical and continue to preserve the sanctity of mosques and surau as centres of knowledge and Islamic evangelism.
“The expiry date is one to two years from the date of issuance. All those with clear political standings will not be allowed to renew their credentials,” he said.
“A total of 31 politicians are still holding credentials to teach religion, valid until the end of their term in Selangor,” he said in response to a question from Syamsul Firdaus Mohamed Supri (PH-Taman Medan) during the sitting at the state assembly building in Shah Alam today.
Syamsul wanted to know the status of politicians issued religious teaching credentials and how many are involved in Selangor.
Meanwhile, state Public Health, Unity, Women and Family Development Committee chairman Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud said the Selangor Islamic Religious Department had recorded 191 cases of domestic violence from January to May this year, which have been referred for counselling and guidance.
She said of the number, 69 cases were reported in Petaling, 38 in Hulu Langat, 28 in Gombak, 16 in Klang, 15 in Sepang, 14 in Kuala Langat, six in Kuala Selangor, three in Hulu Selangor, and two in Sabak Bernam.
She said this in reply to a question from Haniza Mohamed Talha (Bersatu-Lembah Jaya) who asked on efforts being taken and the Selangor Islamic Religious Affairs Standing Committee’s plans to address the issue of abuse and mental health, as well as the number of cases dealt with so far. – Bernama, August 26, 2021
