KUANTAN: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa does not have the authority to instruct religious enforcement officers to cease 'khalwat' operations or operations on activities that go against Islamic teaching at private premises such as people's homes.
Pahang mufti Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Rahman Osman said these matters fall under the purview of each state's religious council, giving an example that in Pahang, it falls under the Pahang Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MUIP).
"He is actually just a minister who takes care of Jakim (Malaysian Islamic Development Department) related matters. Religious affairs such as enforcement falls under state.
"Furthermore, as Muslims, we are encouraged to prevent what is bad and promote what is good.. this has been mentioned in the Quran and must be acknowledged," he said when contacted by NSTP, here, today.
Abdul Rahman was asked to comment on an interview Mujahid had with a local daily in which he mentioned that he would be engaging with religious agencies at state levels on khalwat raids, specifically those that involve breaking down of doors to arrest offenders.
Mujahid had said that what Muslims do behind closed doors was none of the government's business.
The article noted that Mujahid was against knocking on doors in the middle of the night by religious authorities investigating reports of khalwat.
Commenting further, Abdul Rahman said, there are quarters attempting to create a negative perception on the raids done by religious authorities.
"Actually, enforcement officers cannot simply raid or conduct operations at private residences... they can only act after receiving complaints.
"It is their responsibility to act on the complaints, but there are those trying to paint a different picture," he added.