KUALA LUMPUR: The position of chairman of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs Malaysia (MKI) will now be held by one of the ruling monarchs in rotation for two years, with the prime minister as his deputy, says Datuk Idris Ahmad.

       The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) noted the move was in line with the amendments made to MKI’s regulations after the Supreme Committee of the Council of Rulers for Islamic Affairs on Feb 18, 2020, recommended changes to MKI’s structure and membership.

       Idris said that following this recommendation, the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) as the secretariat for the MKI, had prepared and presented the proposal to the Conference of Rulers on March 8 this year to amend the regulations.

       “Among the main points proposed was the change of the MKI chairman which has been approved (and is) to be appointed from among the rulers.

       “The 258th meeting of the Conference of Rulers was pleased to elect the Sultan of Selangor as MKI chairman for a period of two years and the Sultan of Selangor is the first MKI chairman from among the rulers.

       “Meanwhile, the Prime Minister will serve as the deputy chairman of MKI.

       “The new regulations also saw MKI membership having new additions involving ex-officio membership such as the Chief Secretary to the Government, the Attorney General and the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal,” Idris told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

       He also said Jakim’s role had been expressly stated in the new regulations as the secretary and also the secretariat for the MKI.

       Thus, he said a local media report which recently reported that Jakim was now placed under the purview of the Conference of Rulers was inaccurate.

       “Since the beginning of its establishment in 1997 until now, Jakim has remained under the Prime Minister’s Department,” said Idris.

       He added that the main function of Jakim under the Prime Minister’s Department was to strengthen the enactment and standardisation of Islamic legislation in Malaysia, the coordination of Islamic administration nationwide and also the coordination and development of Islamic education at the state and federal levels.

       “All of these functions are in line with Jakim’s role as the secretary and secretariat of MKI, which is under the Conference of Rulers,” said Idris.

       The purpose of the MKI was to provide advice to the Conference of Rulers on any matter relating to Islamic religious affairs with the aim of improving, coordinating and promoting legal or administrative uniformity without touching the position, rights, advantages, sovereign rights and the powers vested in the King as the head of the religion, added Idris.