KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, June 6, 2014 (The Malay Mail): Officers who interrupted a Hindu wedding Sunday will be disciplined if found to have violated its code of conduct, the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) said. The state Islamic agency said it is investigating fully the controversy in which its religious enforcers had gatecrashed a marriage ceremony at a Hindu temple in Taman Sri Aman, Petaling Jaya last weekend and taken away the bride who had a Muslim name.
“In a series of top management meetings, officers have been told that they must first notify and get approval from their superiors in JAIS and the state exco before carrying out any enforcement action in religious places outside of Islam,” said the statement, issued yesterday. “The Selangor Islamic Religious Department views this matter seriously and will not hesitate to take the necessary action against any officer found guilty and were insubordinate,” the statement added.
JAIS’ statement came hot on the heels of an order by the Selangor government to help the allegedly Muslim bride, Zarinah Abdul Majid, change her religious status from Muslim to Hindu. Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim said JAIS had already been ordered “to assist her in resolving the matter,” since she has never been a practising Muslim. Khalid said it was not proper for state religious authorities to have barged in and stopped the wedding ceremony.