In the letter that appeared on various political blogs last night, state exco for Islamic affairs, Abdul Malik Abul Kassim expressed regret that the fatwa committee had issued two fatwa despite objections from the state government.
Malik also said in the letter that the fatwa concerned could have been the act of certain parties out to tarnish the good name of the Penang government and could likely cause unrest among Penang Muslims.
The letter dated May 26, 2010 was addressed to then mufti and fatwa committee chairman Hassan Ahmad.
Penang Umno liaison committee chief Zainal Abidin Osman said Malik’s denial of political interference was unacceptable as the letter proved the opposite.
“Malik’s letter is clearly against what is prescribed under the Penang Islamic Administration Enactment (PIEA) 2004.
“Based on this letter, Malik’s claims of non-interference are not acceptable,” Zainal said in a press conference in Kampung Tok Suboh, Bukit Mertajam, here today.
Malik, when contacted by FMT, said there was nothing wrong in expressing his opinion about issues pertaining to fatwas as he had done in the said letter.He also said there was nothing wrong with copying the letter to the chief minister as he was the chair of the state executive council.
He suggested that perhaps the Barisan Nasional was not used to having a chief minister who was so concerned about Muslims, and hence their trepidation.
“The CM, being the leader and chairman of the executive council, is duty bound to take care of the interests of all regardless of race or religion.” Malik said.
It was PAS who first raised concerns of alleged political meddling, saying the Penang government had usurped the powers of the fatwa committee and the king to decide on fatwa issued in the state.
PAS claimed the state government had asked for all fatwa to go through the state executive council chaired by the chief minister before any were given to the king for assent.
In response, Penang mufti and Fatwa Committee chairman Dr Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor explained that fatwa were brought to the state executive council for the purpose of notification only. He said neither the state exco nor the chief minister blocked any fatwa.
Penang Fatwa Committee member Saleh Ahmad, however, has backed PAS’s claims, saying the state should stay out of matters concerning fatwa. Saleh is the former mufti, Hassan’s brother.
The state government, in particular Malik, has denied all claims.