SHAH ALAM, Nov 11 – Datuk Dr Hasan Ali defended the recent arrest of the ex-Perlis mufti and said today there was nothing sinister in Selangor’s requirement for Islamic clerics to get accreditation before they are allowed to preach here.
The Selangor executive councillor in charge of Religious Affairs was responding to calls by Ulu Kelang lawmaker Saari Sungib, who wanted the rule to be amended following the arrest of Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin on Nov 1.
Hasan, who is also the state PAS Commissioner, said the law was in place to prevent deviant teachings.
“It’s better for anyone who wants to give religious talks to get accreditation, regardless of the background, so we will know who they are and what they are going to talk about.”
"We are not trying to stop anyone from preaching and are just trying to be careful," said Hasan.
Saari, who is also from PAS, had tabled an emergency motion today in the state assembly to debate the arrest of the former mufti, and to overturn the decision by the state religious authority Jais to arrest Asri.
Saari was at the scene at the time of the arrest and said Asri was treated like a dangerous criminal by officers from the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) and police, before being released on bail.
However the motion was rejected by Speaker Teng Chang Khim, who said although the issue was specific and of public importance, it was not urgent.
But this did not stop Bukit Antarabangsa lawmaker Azmin Ali from criticising Jais and the police for treating Asri like a “terrorist” and describing the arrest as “disgusting” while debating the budget.
Hasan said he respected Saari’s views, especially since he was at the scene, and also Azmin’s criticism, but said the reports he received indicated Asri was reluctant to go with Jais officials and the police had to be called in to aid in the arrest.
He said the public should be also be fair to Jais and the police, who were acting on complaints from local residents.
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