KUALA LUMPUR: Any issue related to the Mufti Bill (Federal Territories) 2024 will be addressed by the religious affairs minister, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today.
"Let the religious affairs minister (Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar) answer questions on the Mufti Bill."
He said this when met after the opening ceremony of the 37th Law Association for Asia and the Pacific Conference here.
Anwar was asked to comment on criticism by several parties claiming that the bill would have serious implications for Muslims.
These criticisms include those from lawyer Latifah Koya, who said the bill would grant powers to an unelected official appointed by a minister, dictating how Muslims should live and practise Islam.
Na'im, via Facebook last night, urged all parties not to create doubts among Muslim and non-Muslims that could lead to misinterpretations of the bill.
He said doing so would hinder the government's efforts to strengthen the administration of Islam.
"We should respect the fatwa issued by the mufti, as the mufti is the authoritative body responsible for providing advice on syariah law, as stipulated under Section 33 of the Administration of Islamic Law (Federal Territories) Act 1993 (Act 505) (Clause 4 of the Mufti Bill)."
Na'im said the fatwa (edicts) enacted under the bill were binding only on Muslims and were limited to the jurisdiction of the states.
The bill will be tabled for its second and third readings in the Dewan Rakyat, which begins on Oct 14.