Latest news with #Na'im
New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
Jakim to probe hospital food contract awarded to company without halal certification
SUNGAI PETANI: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar has instructed the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) to look into the award of a hospital catering contract to a company without halal certification. This follows findings in the Auditor General's Report 2/2025 that a three-year, RM25.64 million contract to supply halal food at Canselor Tuanku Muhriz Hospital in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, had been awarded to a company not certified as halal by Jakim. (hyperlink: "I have already instructed the Jakim director-general (Datuk Dr Sirajuddin Suhaimee) to look into the issue, and he will brief me accordingly," Na'im told reporters after visiting accident victim Mohd Lutfi Radzi and his family here today. The minister declined to comment further, saying he would await a full report from Jakim. The Auditor General's report stated that the company had secured the tender to supply halal food for the hospital's patients from Feb 2024 to Feb 2027 despite lacking certification from Jakim at the time of the award. The report added the company intended to streamline the halal status of its central kitchen, which had previously obtained Jakim certification. Meanwhile, during the visit, Na'im presented RM10,000 in financial aid to Lutfi and his family, who were involved in the tragic crash involving their car and a bus along Km53 of the East-West Highway (Jalan Raya Timur-Barat) in Gerik, Perak on June 9. The crash killed 15 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students on board the bus and injured 33 others including Lutfi and his family. (hyperlink:) The assistance was channelled under the Madani Peduli initiative, through contributions from Jakim and two agencies under the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department. "This programme has provided much-needed relief for Lutfi, 37, his wife, Nurul Ain Zakaria, 36, and two children who were all injured in the accident," Na'im said. Lutfi sustained minor injuries to his chest and shoulder, while his wife suffered five broken ribs. Their eldest child, Nur Aisyah Nafisah, fractured her kneecap, and their youngest, Muhammad Ahsan Nafis, sustained bruises and minor cuts to his head and body.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia's haj quota unchanged, no cost increase for 2025, Dewan Rakyat told
KUALA LUMPUR: No additional haj quota was granted by the Saudi government to any country, including Malaysia, for this year's pilgrimage season, the Dewan Rakyat heard today. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said the additional quota had only been provided to Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) during the previous year and had been fully utilised, including by authorised haj organisers. Na'im also said that no Malaysian official haj quota has gone unused from 2020 up to this year. "The official annual haj quota allocated by the Saudi government to Malaysia is 31,600 pilgrims. "This is based on the decision by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which sets the quota at 0.1 per cent of a country's Muslim population. "Meanwhile, there is no increase in haj costs for the year 2025, with the amount remaining the same as the previous year at RM33,300," he said during the question and answer session in the Dewan Rakyat today. Na'im said this in response to Datuk Dr Ahmad Marzuk Shaary (PN-Pengkalan Chepa), who enquired on the justification for the increase in haj costs for 2025, the status of TH investments, and the number of unused haj quotas allocated to Malaysia from 2020 to 2025. Commenting further, Na'im said TH's 3.25 per cent profit distribution for the 2024 financial year, the highest in the past seven years, was due to pilgrims voluntarily rejecting haj financial aid. He added that 263 pilgrims declined the haj subsidy last year, while 396 rejected it in 2023. "As a result, we received a relatively higher dividend for last year, due to both the returns on investment and the savings from the rejected haj subsidies," he said. Na'im added that the government is also exploring a proposal to place matters relating to umrah under the jurisdiction of TH instead of the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac) to curb fraudulent agents offering fake umrah packages, though he does not view it as a major issue. He said this in response to a supplementary question from Datuk Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik (PH-Balik Pulau) regarding the need to curb fraudulent agents offering fake haj packages, which recently led to 47 pilgrims being stranded. Na'im also said the government has established a special committee involving the police, TH and Motac, aimed at preventing any individual or company from arranging haj trips without proper permits. "As for the question of whether umrah falls under the jurisdiction of Motac or TH, I do not see it as an issue. "While we are discussing the best way forward, including the possibility of placing umrah under TH, that is something we can explore further in discussions with Motac, but what is more pressing is the awareness of the public. "If we receive credible information, we can act to stop such attempts. However, in the case of the 47 stranded pilgrims, we were unable to stop them because they were travelling to other countries. "That group appeared to be on holiday to countries like Turkiye or the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and from there, proceeded to Makkah to perform the haj," he said.
The Sun
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Strengthening Qawwam values key to addressing moral deviation in Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR: Upholding the principle of Qawwam, which positions men as leaders and protectors of the family, is crucial in addressing moral confusion and deviant practices, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar. He emphasised that the presence of Qawwam qualities in male leadership helps prevent harmful behaviours within families. 'If a man truly offers love and fulfils his responsibilities, such acts would not occur,' he told reporters after officiating the closing ceremony of the 'Qawwam Generation: Young Men as Family Heroes' programme. Na'im was responding to a controversial motivational programme accused of spreading deviant ideology, allegedly targeting working women and those facing marital issues. Six individuals, including the husband-and-wife founders of the eHati programme and their child, were remanded for three days by the Shah Alam Magistrate's Court to assist in investigations into charges involving public indecency and other minor offences. The event, attended by 550 participants, aimed to instil Qawwam values among young people as future leaders in family and society. Highlights included the Qawwam Inspiration session, an interactive segment titled 'Who is Qawwam?', and a TED Talk on Challenges for the Qawwam Generation, focusing on the role of men in leading themselves, their families, society, and the nation. Also present were JAKIM director-general Datuk Dr Sirajuddin Suhaimee and IKRAM Malaysia president Badlishah Sham Baharin. - Bernama
The Star
04-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Govt rejects extremism, tackles radicalism among foreign workers, says minister
KOTA BHARU: Religious authorities, including the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim), will continue working with the Home Ministry to curb the spread of extremist and radical ideologies among foreign workers in the country, says Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar. The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) said that although not all foreign workers are influenced by radical ideologies, efforts to curb such influences continue to be strengthened. "The issue of IS (Islamic State) involves extremism and radicalism, and I have addressed this in several previous statements. While it does not necessarily involve foreign workers as a whole, we emphasise that the role of religious agencies, especially Jakim, is crucial in curbing the spread of extremist ideologies,' he told reporters after attending the 'Rai Ummah' programme here on Friday (July 4) night. He added that the government upholds the principle of wasatiyyah (moderation) and firmly rejects any form of extremist teachings that deviate from the true teachings of Islam. "We strongly oppose any ideology that promotes extremist actions, as such acts have no place in Islam,' he said. Na'im stressed that he has directed Jakim and the Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (Yadim) to intensify their efforts in addressing the issue. "I have instructed Jakim, along with Yadim, to continue strengthening cooperation with other ministries, particularly the Home Ministry, especially in cases involving foreign workers who may be influenced by such ideologies. "Insya-Allah, ongoing collaboration between religious agencies such as Jakim and Yadim, together with the Home Ministry, will be carried out to curb the spread of extremist ideologies among foreign workers,' he said. Earlier on Friday, Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail reportedly said that the Radical Militant Movement of Bangladesh (GMRB), which was recently dismantled by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), is believed to have been raising funds and recruiting members for the Islamic State (IS) in Syria and Bangladesh. He said initial investigations revealed that the group collected funds through an annual membership fee of RM500 per person, with additional contributions depending on members' financial capabilities. According to Khalid, the group's membership is estimated to be between 100 and 150 individuals, comprising Bangladesh nationals working in sectors such as factories, construction, and petrol stations across the country. On June 27, police crippled a foreign militant network with the arrest of 36 Bangladesh nationals suspected of being directly involved in radical militant movements linked to extremist beliefs and terrorist ideologies. Recently, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail reportedly said that the arrests were made through three phases of planned security operations conducted in Selangor and Johor, beginning on April 24.- Bernama
New Straits Times
04-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Jakim, Yadim to work with Home Ministry to curb extremism among foreign workers
KOTA BARU: The Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) and Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (Yadim) have been directed to work closely with the Home Ministry to help curb the spread of extremist ideologies among foreign workers in the country. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar said the ongoing collaboration would also involve other religious agencies under his ministry. "In general, I wish to emphasise the role of religious agencies under my ministry, particularly Jakim, in countering extremist ideologies. "As followers of Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah, we practise the principle of wasatiyyah (moderation). "Therefore, we firmly reject any ideology that promotes extremism or actions that go against the true teachings of Islam. "Insya-Allah, I will instruct Jakim and Yadim to intensify their efforts and continue working closely with the Home Ministry to identify foreign workers who may have been influenced by such ideologies and prevent their spread within this group," he said after attending the Rai Ummah programme today. Na'im said efforts would include monitoring and preventing the influence of radical beliefs associated with Islamic State (IS) ideology. He said Yadim would also be mobilised to expand community outreach and prevention programmes. Na'im was commenting on reports that several Bangladeshi nationals were recently arrested for suspected involvement in a radical militant group believed to be inspired by IS. It was reported today that police estimate between 100 and 150 Bangladeshi nationals were involved in the radical militant group based on IS ideology, which was recently crippled.
