MALAYSIAN Islamic Development Department (Jakim) is still waiting for an audience with Johor’s Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar regarding controversial preacher Zamihan Mat Zin, said Jamil Khir Baharon, a minister in the Prime Minister’s Department.

On October 14, Sultan Ibrahim forbade the Johor Islamic Religious Department from having any dealings with Jakim after Zamihan criticised the ruler’s ban on the Muslim-only launderettes in the state.

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

On the same day, Jakim sent a letter asking to seek an audience with the ruler as well as an apology regarding the issue involving Zamihan.

A Jakim spokesperson said Jamil and Jakim’s director general Othman Mustapha will seek an audience with His Majesty after receiving his approval.

“The letter will be sent today. Insya-Allah, the minister (Jamil) and director general (Othman) will seek an audience (with Sultan Ibrahim). So we will wait for His Majesty’s welcome,” he said.

Zamihan was remanded for two days to help investigations under the Sedition Act for allegedly criticising the ruler’s action.

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. – November 10, 2017.