SULTAN Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has forbidden the Johor Islamic Religious Department (Jainj) from having any dealings with the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim), reported Sinar Harian.

The ruler said Jakim was no longer welcome to advise the state on Islamic affairs as religion fell under state jurisdiction, as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.

“Some muftis and religious experts have expressed their views and arguments on this matter (the Muslim-only launderette in Muar issue), but unfortunately, a preacher by the name of Zamihan Mat Zin had criticised my action and refuted the muftis.

“His style is very arrogant, as if he is the only one who is right, and he mocked other races. I think he is an empty tin can with no brains,” said Sultan Ibrahim at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia’s 17th convocation today.

On Thursday, Zamihan was remanded for two days to facilitate investigations under the Sedition Act for allegedly criticising the ruler’s ban on Muslim-only launderettes in the state.

Jakim, on Wednesday, confirmed that Zamihan was under its employment, but was currently seconded to the Prisons Department under the Home Ministry.

“It looks like this preacher is very good at lying. How can we learn from him? Don’t kid with me, he should preach in front of the mirror and see himself,” said the Johor ruler.

“If he is truly a Jakim preacher, I don’t know where Jakim picked him up. After this, I’ll instruct Jainj not to waste time dealing with Jakim.”

Zamihan is also the president of Pertubuhan Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah.

The Selangor Islamic Religious Department has banned Zamihan from speaking at the state’s mosques and surau, while the Selangor Islamic Religious Council has ordered an investigation into Zamihan for allegedly criticising the royal institution during his talk at a mosque in Shah Alam on Sunday.

Zamihan was arrested on Wednesday and remanded for two days after a YouTube video of his comments about the Johor Sultan surfaced this week.

He was released today after a magistrate did not approve the police application for an extension to his remand. – October 14, 2017.