PAS Selangor Youth’s Lajnah Ilmuwan dan Penyelidikan chairman Dr Abu Musleh has called on Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Marhamah Rosli to publicly acknowledge the findings of a recent JAKIM session, apologise and resign over allegations linked to the New Age Movement (NAM).
His call came after the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) held a tabayyun session with Marhamah on Sunday following allegations linking her to practices associated with shamanism, witchcraft, amulets and NAM. JAKIM said the session involved the Federal Territories Mufti, its Aqidah Expert Panel and relevant parties.
According to Abu Musleh, PAS Selangor welcomed JAKIM’s decision to investigate the issue and conduct the session, saying the involvement of its Aqidah Expert Panel showed that concerns surrounding the matter deserved serious attention.
He said JAKIM had provided Marhamah with advice, guidance and corrections relating to the content and approach of programmes she had conducted, particularly where they could have implications for religion and Islamic creed.
“This strengthens the view that the concerns raised by the public previously had a basis that should be taken seriously by the relevant authorities,” he said in a statement.
Abu Musleh also referred to Marhamah’s earlier denial of allegations linking her to NAM. On September 18, her office had denied the allegations and said a 2019 social media post being circulated was made in the context of human development and did not constitute support or recognition of the individual’s broader beliefs or practices.
He criticised her previous response as inappropriate and said she should now issue a further public statement addressing the outcome of JAKIM’s session.
“Since JAKIM has now confirmed that there were issues involving the religious and creed implications of the programme, it would be appropriate for the Deputy Minister to openly acknowledge the matter to the public, in line with JAKIM’s findings,” he said.
Abu Musleh also claimed that some of Marhamah’s students may still not understand what he described as problematic elements in the teachings or approaches involved.
He stressed that matters concerning Islamic creed should be examined seriously and transparently according to established Islamic scholarship because they involve fundamental questions of faith.
He further urged the Mufti, JAKIM, the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs’ Muzakarah Committee and state religious authorities to continue monitoring and studying the issue.
“The public is now waiting for Marhamah’s acknowledgement and apology, which should, of course, be followed by her resignation,” he said.
JAKIM has meanwhile maintained that the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) remains firm in rejecting teachings, beliefs, practices or approaches that contradict Islamic law and principles of Islamic creed. It also stressed that religious content should be based on recognised Islamic scholarship and receive input from relevant religious authorities.
