UNISLAMIC ACTIVITIES UNDER CLOSE WATCH
Jakim empowers state Islamic Affairs Departments to monitor shamans
BALVIN KAUR
AND HANI SHAMIRA SHAHRUDIN KEPALA BATAS balvinkaur@nst.com.my
THE Department of Islamic Development (Jakim) will continue to monitor bomoh (shamans) who carry out activities that tarnish Islam.
Its director-general, Tan Sri Othman Mustapha, said the efforts involved all the state Islamic Affairs Departments.
“If the offence or activity takes place in the state, it is within the state Islamic Affairs Department’s jurisdiction to monitor (the offender).
“For example, the arrest of ‘Raja Bomoh Sedunia’ Ibrahim Mat Zin in Johor on Friday is under the Johor Islamic Affairs Department’s jurisdiction.
“So, the state Islamic Affairs Department must monitor the activities and we will also keep an eye out for such activities.”
Othman said the department would take action against those caught smearing the religion’s image through their activities.
“We will call the person over to talk and ask if he had committed the offence. If the person admits his wrongful (action), we will advise the person, but if all else fails, we will take action.”
On Ibrahim’s arrest, Othman said the department was waiting for a report from the Johor Islamic Affairs Department and police.
“My department will study the report before making any statement,” he said.
It was reported that Ibrahim was arrested at a hotel at 2.30am on Friday.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said Ibrahim was arrested because his actions had tarnished the sanctity of Islam.
Ibrahim is infamous for his bizarre rituals, such as the theatrics outside the Kuala Lumpur Hospital mortuary on March 13, complete with bamboo shoots, which he used as binoculars to “protect” the country from harm.
It was captured by the international press, much to the embarrassment of Malaysians.
He first grabbed the attention of international media when he tried to identify the location of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 after the plane went missing on March 8, 2014.
He is being investigated under Section 298 of the Penal Code for uttering words with deliberate intent to wound the religious feelings of any person.
Federal police Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Mohmad Salleh said Ibrahim was released on bail yesterday after his statements were recorded.