Penang state exco on religious affairs Abdul Malik Abul Kassim has reiterated that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the final decision-maker on mosque committees, and therefore His Majesty's prior approval to conduct committee elections is not an issue.

NONEAbdul Malik (left), who is also Batu Maung MP, said the new method requiring local residents to elect their mosque committees, introduced by the Penang Islamic Religious Council (MAIPP), was actually an improvement of the existing system practised by BN before 2008.

During BN's rule, he said, MAIPP appointed certain individuals and groups without going through a "proper and transparent" selection system by residents in the localities of the mosques.

This new method, he said, gave Muslims the right to suggest the names of administrators or committees of their own mosques to MAIPP - names that would then be submitted to the King for his endorsement.

"The final decision as to who sits in the mosque committees will still be the King's," Abdul Malik added.

Minister: Penang must first get King's consent

However, this is unacceptable to Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Jamil Khir Baharom, who said the Penang government should get the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong before implementing the new system.

Jamil said this was because under the federal constitution, all Islamic affairs in the states ruled by appointed governors (Yang di-Pertua Negeri), came under the jurisdiction of the King.

He accused Penang of making the decision in haste, without the consent of the King, saying this would create disharmony among Muslims, especially in mosques.

The controversy over the election of mosque committee members erupted after Umno-owned daily Utusan Malaysia reported on its front page on June 6 that the DAP had interfered in MAIPP and influenced its decision on the elections, which the DAP denied.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng at a press conference yesterday also denied the allegation, saying the decision had nothing to do with the DAP.

"I have no comment because we are not involved at all in this issue, we have no representative in MAIPP," he said.

NONEPAS executive committee member and Parit Buntar MP Mujahid Yusof Rawa (right) also chided Umno for making a fuss over the matter, adding that the 15-member MAIPP felt insulted by suggestions that they had been influenced by the DAP, "as if we have no brains".

Abdul Malik also said if the state government placed its interests before religion, MAIPP would continue BN's traditional practise of appointing a committee without allowing members of the community to make their choice.

"I am confident that candidates who offer themselves for election will work sincerely and contribute to the Muslim community, as well as help raise the good reputation of their own mosques," he said.

The new method, he said, has received a positive response from many mosques all over the state.

After nominations closed on June 7, 193 out of 200 mosques sent their name lists to MAIPP, he said, and this proved that the majority of mosques in the state accepted the system initiated by MAIPP.

The full lists of nominees and those qualified would be distributed among the mosques starting today until the end of the week, as the elections are to be conducted on June 18.

"The purpose of this system is to choose credible mosque administrators regardless of their political affiliation," Abdul Malik said.

"Those elected carry a heavy responsibility, to administer the mosques for the benefit of the community. More importantly, their responsibility is to Allah, and to remind Muslims about their religious duties in the state," he added.