KANGAR: Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail has expressed his displeasure over the use of the Conference of Rulers' name in efforts to support the Mufti (Federal Territories) Bill.
Mufti of Perlis, Datuk Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, conveyed this development in a Facebook post today.
"His Majesty Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Ibni al-Marhum Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail has instructed me to inform that he does not consent to the use of the Conference of Rulers' name in supporting the Mufti (Federal Territories) Bill," he said.
On July 2, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Mohd Na'im Mokhtar presented for the first reading in Parliament three bills concerning Islamic affairs in the country.
The Mufti (Federal Territories) Bill includes the Islamic Laws Administration (Federal Territories) (Amendment) Bill 2024 and the Shariah Court Procedure (Federal Territories) (Amendment) Bill 2024.
The Mufti Bill also lists the establishment of the Federal Territories Fatwa Committee, Syariah Astronomy Committee, Hilal Sighting Committee, and the Islamic Education Oversight Committee chaired by the mufti.
Additionally, it defines Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah from the 'akidah' perspective based on the Al-Asyairah, Al-Maturidiah streams, and Shafi'i Mazhab jurisprudence, while honoring three other Mazhabs and the tasawuf of Imam Ghazali and Imam Junaid.
The bill has garnered support from various quarters, including several muftis, legal practitioners including the Malaysian Syariah Lawyers Association (PGSM) President, Musa Awang, who stressed that any effort for a paradigm shift for Syariah Courts must be supported by all, especially parliamentarians.