Na’im said there was a need to clear the air over the functions and the power a mufti held, as any misunderstanding would only hinder the government from improving its administration of Islam.

“The bill is meant for issues related to muftis, doctrines and Islamic law in the federal territories,” he said. Such matters include the issuance of fatwas, the powers of a committee monitoring the teaching of Islam and determining the “kiblat”.

The bill also spells out the separation of powers of the religious departments, muftis, and shariah courts, he added.

Na’im dismissed claims that the proposed law threatens the religious freedoms guaranteed under the Federal Constitution.

Such allegations are not true, he said. Any fatwa (religious edict) gazetted under the new law would apply only to Muslims and is limited to the jurisdiction of a state.

“Even binding fatwas would need the assent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong first, based on the advice of the Islamic religious council. Nor can the fatwa contravene any written law,” he said.

The proposed bill is to be tabled for a second and third reading in the Dewan Rakyat next week.

Critics of the bill include women’s rights group Sisters in Islam which stated that the proposed new law provides unchecked power to religious authorities, while lawyer-activist Latheefa Koya said it would empower the government, through the mufti, to control or police every aspect of life of Muslims in Malaysia.

Latheefa also said the bill would, in effect, create “two chief authorities” on Islamic affairs in the federal territories; The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who is the constitutional head of Islam in the federal territories and states without a sultan, as well as the mufti.