PUTRJAYA will be holding discussions with state religious authorities to streamline the use of shariah laws in states to ensure no one is persecuted over their faith, said de facto Islamic Affairs Minister Mujahid Yusof Rawa.

This development comes after reports of the arrest of dozens of Shias, including foreigners, in a series of raids in Selangor and Johor over the past week.

The raids are nothing new, and part of a consistent crackdown on the sect deemed “deviant” by religious authorities.

Mujahid said the talks with state authorities are to ensure that they use their respective shariah legislation in accordance with the federal constitution which guarantees freedom of religion.

“This matter is the prerogative of the state religious authorities. We have received feedback from the menteris besar and we will see how we can solve this matter.

“We will stick to what is stated in the federal constitution for freedom of religion. We will have to look at the balance,” he told reporters after an event in Kuala Lumpur.

However, he said he respected the actions taken by the Selangor religious department as they followed proper procedure.

He stressed that the government will continue to adhere to the guarantees enshrined in the constitution.

Shia followers are often targeted on the Day of Ashura, or the 10th day of the Islamic month of Muharam, as they remember it differently than Sunnah Wal Jamaah adherents, who form the majority of Muslims in Malaysia.

In an incident in Johor on Monday, three Shias accused police of acting aggressively during a raid.

In three police reports sighted by The Malaysian Insight, the trio said plainclothes police acted brutally, including pointing weapons at the congregation. – September 13, 2019.