Latest news with #MAIS
New Straits Times
21-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Sarawak opposition parties object to passage of bill to amend land code
KUCHING: Two opposition parties today expressed their strong objection over the passage of a bill to amend the Sarawak Land Code to incorporate provisions related to wakaf, the Islamic endowment system. They said that the amendments to include section 171A shows that the Sarawak government is not sensitive to the feelings of the multireligious, multicultural and multiracial society of Sarawak. "The inclusion of section 171A to the Sarawak Land Code will empower the Majlis Islam Sarawak (MAIS) to deal with land that is (deemed) wakaf," they said. Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) permanent chairman Dr John Brian Anthony said PBDS recognised and respected the importance of religious freedom for all Malaysians, including Muslims. "However, we must be firm in upholding the unique legal, cultural, and social foundations of Sarawak, especially when they pertain to land — our most vital and sensitive resource," he said in a statement when responding to the passage of the amendment Bill in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly yesterday. He said the party's objection was grounded on preserving Sarawak's multicultural harmony where Sarawak was a model of religious and cultural diversity. "Introducing wakaf laws into civil land legislation risks upsetting this balance by creating perceptions of religious favouritism and state-sanctioned religious encroachment into secular legal systems." Brian said for the Dayak and other native communities, land was not just an economic asset — it was tied to ancestry, tradition, and identity. "The idea of a parallel land system based on religious principles raises serious alarm and may erode confidence in the impartiality of our land laws," he said. He said introducing wakaf into the Sarawak Land Code could create a dual land ownership framework that complicated land administration and weakened the clarity of property rights. "This could have unintended consequences for development, inheritance, and dispute resolution — especially for mixed-religion or indigenous communities," he said. Brian said the people, whether Muslim or non-Muslims, deserved to be fully consulted on any changes to land laws. "No major legal reform should be pushed through without transparent, inclusive engagement with stakeholders, civil society, and local communities," he said. PBK president Voon Lee Shan said the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) should not impose supremacy of Islam and Malay race in the Land Code because this could cause suspicion among Sarawakians as the treatment of people of different races, culture and religions in Sarawak. He said MAIS, established under the Majlis Islam Sarawak Ordinance 2001, was a corporate body that could do business and own properties. "MAIS, for the purpose of the Land Code, is deemed a Native of Sarawak under the Majlis Islam Ordinance 2001," Voon, a senior lawyer, stressed. He said the amendment Bill, which sought to import the concept of "wakaf or endowment", could create racial and religious tensions in Sarawak if there were disputes involving native property, especially, native land in Sarawak. He said section 1771A(1) which stated that "any person who has rights and interests on any land may lodge an application to declare such land as wakaf or endowment" could create problems, if the claimant came to make bogus claims on any land — more so over a native land. He noted that at the moment, most native lands had no title and were not surveyed and there were bound to be dispute if bogus claims of land to be wakaf arose. Voon said that there was nothing to prevent a person who made the bogus claim to the land, from seeking MAIS to identify and cause MAIS to declare the land as wakaf land. "The land will then comes under the jurisdiction of MAIS," he added.
The Sun
09-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
MAIS denies viral claim on Insan Rabbani tajwid focus
SHAH ALAM: The Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) has denied viral claims on social media alleging that its faith rehabilitation programme for former members of GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISBH) focuses solely on the study of tajwid (Qur'anic pronunciation rules). MAIS secretary Dr Ahmad Shahir Makhtar said the Insan Rabbani programme, introduced to rehabilitate the beliefs (akidah) of former GISBH members, was approved on Feb 4. 2025, as aligned with the fatwa gazetted on Oct 16, 2024, which ruled that the beliefs, teachings, and practices of GISBH and its network deviate from true Islamic teachings. He said the programme is part of MAIS' broader efforts to restore the Islamic faith of former members, conducted in collaboration with the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS), and runs from Feb 15 to to August 2025. 'The Insan Rabbani programme is held every Sunday in 24 sessions, each lasting four hours, at four locations: Sekolah Rendah Agama (SRA) Country Homes in Rawang; Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque in Shah Alam; SRA Sijangkang in Kuala Langat; and SRA Sungai Kantan in Kajang. A total of 51 certified teachers are involved in delivering the modules,' he said in a statement today. Ahmad Shahir added that the programme follows the Istitabah Module, approved by MAIS in 2013, and includes key areas of Islamic education such as Qur'anic studies, akidah (faith), tasawuf (spiritual purification), and fikah (Islamic jurisprudence) tailored for adult participants. Regarding Qur'anic studies, he said participants learn not just tajwid, but also deepen their understanding of the Qur'an to improve their recitation and comprehension. 'The akidah module covers the foundations of Islamic belief, including the correct understanding of the attributes of Allah SWT, the role of prophets, and related concepts,' he said. The tasawuf component, he added, focuses on purifying the heart and cultivating good character traits, while the fikah module teaches practical religious rulings, especially on prayer, based on the Shafi'i school of thought. For children of former GISBH members, MAIS uses the JAIS Pendidikan Insani (Holistic Education) Module. This module aims to nurture children's personality and potential in a comprehensive and integrated way, guided by divine revelation and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad SAW. It covers areas such as akidah (faith), ibadah (acts of worship), and akhlak (morality). 'Therefore, the claim circulating on social media that the rehabilitation programme only focuses on tajwid is inaccurate and misleading,' Ahmad Shahir said. Previously, the media reported that a total of 2,474 former GISBH members, including 1,410 children, are taking part in the insan Rabbani programme, which began on Feb 15 and continues until August, involving several phases of rehabilitation.
The Sun
04-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
2,474 former GISBH members join MAIS' Insan Rabbani rehabilitation programme
SHAH ALAM: A total of 2,474 former members of GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISBH) have participated in the Insan Rabbani Programme, a rehabilitation initiative by the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS). In a statement today, MAIS said that of the total participants, 1,064 were adults and 1,410 were children. The programme began on Feb 15 and will continue until August 2025. The Insan Rabbani Programme is among MAIS's ongoing rehabilitation efforts, focusing on restoring the faith (akidah) of former GISBH members, in collaboration with the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS). 'The programme consists of a rehabilitation phase followed by a strengthening and consolidation phase, each lasting six months. 'This will be followed by a post-rehabilitation phase, which includes monitoring and support services,' MAIS said. The state religious body also implemented a Faith Rehabilitation Programme specifically for children associated with GISBH from September to December last year. 'MAIS collaborated with the National Security Council to organise a Voluntary Rehabilitation Programme for GISBH members. The programme involved seven participants from Selangor and 11 from Johor, and was held from Nov 7, 2024, to Feb 4, 2025,' the statement added.
Malay Mail
04-05-2025
- General
- Malay Mail
From cult to conviction: Over 2,400 ex-GISBH members, including children, undergo Feb-Aug MAIS religious rehabilitation
SHAH ALAM, May 4 — A total of 2,474 former members of GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISBH) have participated in the Insan Rabbani Programme, a rehabilitation initiative by the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS). In a statement today, MAIS said that of the total participants, 1,064 were adults and 1,410 were children. The programme began on Feb 15 and will continue until August 2025. The Insan Rabbani Programme is among MAIS's ongoing rehabilitation efforts, focusing on restoring the faith (akidah) of former GISBH members, in collaboration with the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS). 'The programme consists of a rehabilitation phase followed by a strengthening and consolidation phase, each lasting six months. 'This will be followed by a post-rehabilitation phase, which includes monitoring and support services,' MAIS said. The state religious body also implemented a Faith Rehabilitation Programme specifically for children associated with GISBH from September to December last year. 'MAIS collaborated with the National Security Council to organise a Voluntary Rehabilitation Programme for GISBH members. The programme involved seven participants from Selangor and 11 from Johor, and was held from Nov 7, 2024, to Feb 4, 2025,' the statement added. — Bernama
Barnama
30-04-2025
- Business
- Barnama
MAIS Introduces PPI Card To Combat Fraud In Asset Management
SHAH ALAM, April 30 (Bernama) -- The Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) has introduced the Perancang Pewarisan Islam (PPI) (Islamic inheritance Planner) card for all registered agents, as part of an initiative to prevent fraud in asset management. Its chairman Datuk Salehuddin Saidin said the PPI card is a unique document which offers several features, including an appointment reference number, validity date, and the agent's photo and name, helping to protect the public from scams when using their services. 'The initiative is viewed as an early prevention measure to protect Muslims from falling victim to fraud, allowing the card to differentiate between legitimate agents and others. 'At the same time, MAIS wants the public to understand the role of PPI, which was created to help Muslims manage their inheritance in accordance with Islamic law, at an affordable cost,' he told reporters here today. Salehuddin said MAIS charges as little as RM300 for the will or hibah (conditional gift) process, aiming to ease the burden on the B40 group in planning their wills and hibah matters. He added that the initiative could also increase knowledge, awareness and confidence among Muslims about the importance of property matters, especially wills and hibah. He said that so far, MAIS has appointed 63 accredited agents and plans to double this number in the future, to expand the reach of PPI services across Selangor. Earlier, Salehuddin attended the Media and Strategic Partner Appreciation Ceremony to honour media practitioners who have collaborated in covering MAIS news throughout 2024. -- BERNAMA
