‘Focus on helping poor’

> Resources spent on pursuing ‘puasa truants’ should instead be used to do good: Khairy

PETALING JAYA: Religious departments have been urged to assist the poor, rather than focus on going after Muslims who do not fast during Ramadan.

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin ( pix), through a series of tweets via his Twitter handle @ Khairykj said: “Instead of religious depts spending money on enforcement ppl looking for people ponteng puasa, use them to help asnaf and to do good.”

“Asnaf” refers to those who are eligible to receive tithe collections, including the poor.

“In terms of awlawiyat (priority), it is more important we help the needy than enforce personal religious obligations. There is no compulsion.

“It is compulsory (wajib) for you to observe the 5 pillars. It is not compulsory for people to catch you not doing it.”

A handler, @ armyzonovic responded: “Takken tweet je YB. Informlah pada menteri berkaitan agama time meeting cabinet (Don’t just tweet, YB). Inform the minister concerned during the Cabinet meeting).” Khairy said: “Saya boleh bincang dgn Jamil Khir ttg JAKIM/JAWI tapi kena ingat jabatan2 lain yg buat enforcement ni bawah kuasa negeri. State power.

“So it’s not a simple matter of ‘don’t talk, just do’. Religion is a state (negeri) matter. Many Majlis Agama Negeri under the Rulers.

“Hence, one way to do it is by encouraging public debate. If societal expectations change ergo pressure on religious departments.”