KUALA LUMPUR, February 20 – The government has reaffirmed that any religious guidelines, including those concerning Muslim participation in events at non-Muslim places of worship, require Cabinet approval and must prioritize national unity. In a joint statement, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Na’im Mokhtar and National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang clarified that while the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) can offer advice, its recommendations do not constitute official policy.
The clarification follows public concern over a proposed guideline that could affect interfaith relations. The ministers emphasized that the Cabinet had reviewed the matter and noted the confusion it had caused among Malaysians of different faiths. To foster greater inclusivity, the Interfaith Harmony Committee, comprising 24 representatives from various religious groups, will further discuss the issue in a meeting later this month. Additionally, the National Unity Ministry will continue its Harmony Dialogue initiative to strengthen interfaith understanding.
Citing Malaysia’s long-standing tradition of unity in diversity, the ministers assured that the Madani governmentremains committed to upholding harmony and ensuring that all policies align with the nation’s multicultural values. Reports from Sin Chew Daily earlier suggested that the Cabinet had decided to drop the proposed guideline, reinforcing the government’s stance on inclusive policymaking.
