Department of Islamic Development Malaysia

In 1969, the Conference of the Conference of Rulers of Malaysia decided that there was a need for a body to mobilize the development and progress of Muslims in Malaysia, in line with the status of Malaysia as a growing Islamic country and gaining international attention.

Realizing this fact, a secretariat to the National Council of Islamic Religious Affairs Malaysia (MKI) was established, to preserve the purity of Islamic beliefs and teachings. The secretariat was later developed as the Religious Division, the Prime Minister's Department which was then re-promoted to the Islamic Affairs Division (Malay: Bahagian Hal Ehwal Islam) (BAHEIS).

On 1 January 1997, in line with the growing development and progress of Islam in the country, the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) was established by the Malaysian government as taking over power and role of BAHEIS.

The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia, the Prime Minister's Department plays a central role in the planning of Islamic Affairs management and development of the Ummah with the following functions:[2]

• Responsible as a planner who determines the development and progress of Islamic Affairs in Malaysia;

• Formulate a policy for the development of Islamic Affairs in the country and maintain the purity of Islamic beliefs and teachings

• Assist in formulating and harmonizing the necessary laws and regulations as well as evaluating and coordinating the implementation of existing laws and administration in the efforts to resolve problems of Muslims;

• Implement ummah development programs and appreciation of Islam in the management of the country;

• Coordinate legal enforcement mechanisms as well as regulatory affairs of Islamic Affairs nationwide;

• Evaluate Islamic Affairs programs implemented in the country;

• Acting as a collector, disseminator and reference center of information on Islamic affairs; and

• Implement community development efforts through regional and international cooperation.

There are three main sectors namely Policy Sector, Operations Sector and Management Sector.

For the Policy Sector,there were divided into six Divisions namely:

• Islamic Development Policy division
• Research division
• External Affairs and Relationships division
• Halal Management division
• Maqasid Syariah division[3]
• Coordination of Shariah Enforcement and Prosecution division

Meanwhile, in the Human Development Sector were divided into five divisions: -

• Preaching division
• Education division
• Family, Social and Community division
• Broadcasting division
• Publications division

While in the Management Sector were divided into four divisions: -

• Human resource Management division
• Information management division
• Financial division
• Management services division

The following organizations are placed directly under the Director General of Jakim:

• Islamic Training Institute of Malaysia (Malay Institut Latihan Islam Malaysia (ILIM)[4]

• Legal Division

• Secretary of the Malaysian Halal Council [5]

• Darul Quran[6]

• Sarawak Islamic Skills Institute (Malay:Institut Kemahiran Islam Malaysia Sarawak) (IKMAS)

• Sabah Institute of Islamic Studies and Preaching (Malay:Institut Pengajian Islam dan Dakwah Sabah) (IPDAS)

• JAKIM (Sabah branch)

• JAKIM (Sarawak branch)

• Corporate Communication unit

• Integrity Unit
  

  Putra Mosque in Putrajaya.

The three main mosques are placed under the JAKIM Preaching Division:

• Masjid Negara

• Masjid Putra

• Masjid Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin

On 24 Dec 2020, Jakim Deputy Director General Datuk Abdul Aziz Jusoh said halal-certified shops can't display any products with greetings with festivals for other religions[7] (example: a cake decorated with "Merry Christmas" greeting).

This controversy incident was triggered by a Malaysian customer surprised when he received a cake with "Happy Holidays" when he ordered the cakes and requested to decorated with "Merry Christmas" greeting.

The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of Religious Affairs in the Perikatan Nasional administration, Datuk Zulkifli Mohamad later clarifies: “Any festive wishes is allowed on a product if it is produced not to be displayed on the premise that has been certified halal or on a product with the halal logo. There are no specific prohibitions for other religious celebrations other than Islam in the Manual Procedure for Halal Certification (Domestic) 2020. To put it simply if shop B with a Jakim halal certificate bakes a cake with a religious celebration wish for display then it is not allowed, but if shop B had prepared the cake that was ordered by A that has a religious celebration wish it is permitted.”.[8]

The formation of JAKIM faced criticism from many groups claiming the established was outlawed by constitution of Malaysia. G25, a group of representing of former civil servant said the established of JAKIM was not aligned with constitution as power of the Conference of Rulers does not include the formation of JAKIM cited of Article 38 of the constitution.[9] However, former Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohamad was defended formation of JAKIM cited it was aimed at bringing the government in line with Islamic teachings. His statement was supported by Mujahid Yusof Rawa, former Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religion Affair) quoted it was set up to cater to the current needs, including when it comes to managing the budget for the administration of Islamic matters. [10][11]