ORGANISATIONS AND ROLES OF JAKIM

1. ABSTRACT

These papers seek to examine the organisations of JAKIM dan their roles in the development
of Islamic Affairs in Malaysia. It will consist the historical background on how this department
are created and the establishment of Islamic Centre. It will also explained briefly on the
organisations of JAKIM and their main functions in the development of Islam in Malaysia.
Among the functions are the legislation and standardisation of Islamic Law, Islamic
administration coordination and adjustment and the development of Islamic education in
Malaysia.

KEYWORDS: JAKIM, Organisations, Functions, Islamic, and Law

2. INTRODUCTION

In 1968, the Malaysian Council of Rulers decided that there was a need for a body that could
mobilise the development and progress of Muslims in Malaysia,1 in line with the countrys
status as an Islamic country which was growing in strength as well as fast gaining worldwide
recognition. In realising the fact, a secretariat for the National Council of Islamic Affairs of
Malaysia was formed to protect the purity of faith and the teachings of Islam. This secretariat
was later expanded to become the Religious Division, Prime Ministers Department which was
later upgraded to become the Islamic Affairs Division (BAHEIS).

On 1st January 1997, in line with the countrys steadfast Islamic development and
progress, the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) was established by the
Government of Malaysia to take over the role of BAHEIS.

3. ORGANISATIONS OF JAKIM
a) Background on the establishment of Islamic Centre

The Malaysian Islamic Centre Complex, which stands proud and majestic in the heart
of Kuala Lumpur city, has a history which started since the National Mosque. The
National Mosque, which was officially opened in 1965 by the Third Duli Yang Maha

1
Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia. 2012. JAKIM 4 Dekad. Putrajaya: Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia. Vol.
1. p. 14

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Mulia Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di Pertuan Agong Tuanku Syed Putra Ibni Al-
Marhum Syed Hassan Jamalulail, was the foundation for all activities leading to the
building of the present Islamic Centre Complex.

The Islamic Affairs Division, Prime Ministers Department is the new name
given to the Religious Division, Prime Ministers Department. In the beginning, this
division used to be a secretariat in the Prime Ministers Department. This secretariat
was called the Secretariat of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs of
Malaysia and was formed by the Council of Rulers in 1968.

Its first chairman was the Yang Teramat Mulia Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-
Haj, the Prime Minister at that time, while its secretary was Dato' Haji Ismail bin
Panjang Aris. At first, it was hoped that all the states in Malaysia would enlist.
However, during its establishment, two states did not become a member of the National
Council for Islamic Religious Affairs of Malaysia. The two states were Kedah and
Pahang. To date, the two states have yet to join the National Council for Islamic
Religious Affairs of Malaysia. There are two important tasks given to the National
Council for Islamic Religious Affairs of Malaysia and they are:-

To discuss, consider and manage any matters referred to the Council of Rulers,
any State Government or State Islamic Religious Affairs Council or a Council
member, with the purpose of providing advices or recommendations.
To advise the Council of Rulers, State Governments or State Islamic Religious
Affairs Council on matters relating to Islamic legislation or administration or
education with the objectives to improve, standardise or enhance the legislation
or administration.

Since its inception until today, the Chairman of the Islamic Religious Affairs
Council has always been the Prime Minister of Malaysia, in line with the importance
of Islam in the Malaysian National Constitution. This council is important not only
because it has served as a coordinator, but also because it has become the highest
religious forum to discuss and solve religious issues that have big impact to the religion
and its followers in the country.

Within the first 10 years (1970-1980), more than 20 conferences were held by
the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs of Malaysia and almost 200 issues
were discussed. In these conferences, various decisions were discussed and resolved.
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 One of the successes of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs of Malaysia
was creating Islamic Institutions which had significant impacts to the development of
Islam at the national and international levels. Among the new Institutions created are:

Islamic Dawah and Training Institute (INDAH)

Malaysian Dawah Islamiah Foundation
Malaysian Islamic Teaching College
Religious Secondary Schools in Sarawak
Islamic Research Centre
Maahad Tahfiz al-Quran Wal Qiraat
Board of Education and Islamic Teaching Coordination (LEPAI)

A part of these institutions play an integral part in the Islamic Affairs Division in the
Prime Ministers Department today. These institutions have already become a reality
and have grown rapidly under the tower of the new Malaysian Islamic Centre.

b) Physical Development of the Islamic Centre

The Secretariat of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs of

Malaysia commenced its duties in 1970 when the National Council for Islamic
Religious Affairs of Malaysia established the Islamic Research Centre (PPI) in 1971
and the Islamic Dawah and Training Institute (INDAH) in 1974.

When the Federal Territory was formed in 1974, the Secretariat of the National
Council for Islamic Religious Affairs status was upgraded to become the Religious
Department, Prime Ministers Department. The Federal Territory Islamic Religious
Council was placed under the administration of the Religious Department, Prime
Ministers Department until 1978. After that, the Federal Territory Islamic Religious
Council was placed under the Federal Territory Ministry and became a department
known as the Federal Territory Islamic Affairs Department (JAWI).

Looking at the fast-paced development of Islam in Malaysia, there was a need

for the Islamic administration to have its own building. In its early days of operations,
the Secretariat of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs operated from a
temporary office at the Tunku Abdul Rahman Hall, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur,
while all religious activities were held at the National Mosque. In 1970, the old Islamic
Centre building situated at Jalan Lembah near the National Mosque was built. The

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 placing of the foundation stone was performed by the Yang Amat Berhormat Prime
Minister Tun Abdul Razak bin Dato Hussein.

In 1974, when the Secretariat of the National Council for Islamic Religious
Affairs was upgraded to become Religious Division, Prime Ministers Department, its
duties and responsibilities became bigger and much more challenging. New branch
centres were established and placed under the jurisdiction of the Religious Division,
Prime Ministers Department. At the time, the Islamic Research Centre (1971), the
Dawah and Islamic Training Institute (1974) as well as Maahad Tahfiz and the Federal
Territory Islamic Affairs Council had already been established.

With its rapid development, the number of officers as well as activities and
programmes has increased, and the office space became crowded. Towards early 1980s,
the Religious Division, Prime Ministers Department had undergone a rapid
development pace. During that time, the Religious Divisions branches were scattered
around Kuala Lumpur such as the Islamic Research Centre in the Government Offices
Complex, Jalan Duta while the Dawah and Islamic Training Institute was located at
the Islamic Centre, Jalan Lembah and at the Government quarters in Jalan Mahameru
and Jalan Cenderasari, as well as the Maahad Tahfiz al-Quran Wal Qiraat building.

Under the Third Malaysia Plan (1976-80) the Religious Division, Prime
Ministers Department received allocations to build a 4-storey building for the offices
of Ministers without Portfolios, in the Prime Ministers Department and the Islamic
Centres New Complex. However, the project could not be implemented under the
Third Malaysia Plan and was subsequently brought forward to the Fourth Malaysia
Plan.

c) Islamic Affairs Division, Prime Ministers Department

In 1984, the Religious Division, Prime Ministers Department was re-structured

and expanded. All existing positions were upgraded. On 1st Ramadhan 1405 or 21st
May 1985, the Religious Division was re-named the Islamic Affairs Division, Prime
Ministers Department.

In the same year, the Islamic Affairs Division, Prime Ministers Department
moved to a new building. This complex was built on a 2.43-hectare land near the
National Mosque costing RM58 million. The complex consists of an 11-storey tower

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 which houses various offices, lecture halls and an auditorium that can accommodate
1,500 people. The complex also has a 3-storey building that houses the Islamic Public
Library, the Islamic Exhibition Hall and the Al-Quran Wal Qiraat Institute of Learning.
This Islamic Affairs Division complex is known as the Malaysian Islamic Centre.

d) Functions of The Islamic Affairs Division

The Islamic Affairs Division was given the responsibility to implement a
programme under the Prime Ministers Department which is the Islamic Affairs
Administration. The tasks cover all duties of planning and coordinating bodies and can
be summarised below:-
Efforts to improve and standardise the legal and administrative aspects relating
to Islamic affairs, laws and education within the country.
Islamic activities to ensure that the policies and national development plans are
smoothly implemented.
Dawah Islamiah programmes and activities.
Programmes and activities for the implementation of the Islamic Absorption
Values into Administration Policy.
Islamic programmes and activities in Federal Government Department and
Statutory Bodies.
Efforts to contribute towards the enhancement and strengthening of the position
of Islam and its followers in Malaysia.
Efforts to control and maintain the purity of faith and the teachings of Islamin
the country.
Efforts to solve the problems of the ummah that are related to current issues.
Evaluate and provide recommendations on Islamic activities that are
implemented by the Government and private agencies to ensure there are no
conflicts between national and Islamic interests.
Plan activities to assist the state Islamic authorities in the dawah islamiah field.

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e) The Organisations of JAKIM

Chart 1
According to the above chart, there are list of branches and divisions in JAKIM.
The top chart is the Office of Jakims Director General which was led by Ybhg Tan Sri
Dato Haji Othman bin Haji Mustapha. Then, it was followed by Office of Legal Adviser
led by En. Razali bin Ariffin.
Next, the organisations of JAKIM was formed by three main sector which are
Policy Sector, Human Development Sector and Management Sector. In the Policy Sector,
there are several divisions which includes Planning & Research Division, Islamic
Development Division, Law Coordination Division, Relations Division and Fatwa
Management Division.

In the Human Development Sector, there are Human Development Division, Dawah
Division, Family, Social & Community Development Division, Publishing Division and
Media Division. While in the Management Sector, there are located the Information
Management Division, Human Resources Management Division, Finance Division and
Management Services Division.

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 Besides that, there is a branches that stay below this organisations which are
the Islamic Department of Federal Territory (JAWI), JAKIM Sabah Branch, JAKIM
Sarawak Branch, Darul Quran, Malaysian Islamic Training Institute (ILIM), Halal Hub
Division, Syariah Index Unit and Integrity Unit.

4. ROLES OF JAKIM

As the main agency managing Islamic affairs at the Federal level and the secretariat to the
National Council for Islamic Affairs Malaysia (MKI), JAKIM performs the three (3) main
functions below:

a) Legislation and Standardisation of Islamic Law

Among the most functions of JAKIM in the legislation is to streamline and
implement the directives of the Council of Rulers on Islamic matters through the
National Council for Islamic Affairs Malaysia. Besides that, JAKIM also have a role to
legislate, review and amend Islamic laws for standardisation amongst the states.
According to the Article 3 (2) in the Federal Constitution, In every State other than
States not having a Ruler the position of the Ruler as the Head of the religion of Islam
in his State in the manner and to the extent acknowledged and declared by the
Constitution of that State, and, subject to that Constitution, all rights, privileges,
prerogatives and powers enjoyed by him as Head of that religion, are unaffected and
unimpaired; but in any acts, observances or ceremonies with respect to which the
Conference of Rulers has agreed that they should extend to the Federation as a whole
each of the other Rulers shall in his capacity of Head of the religion of Islam authorize
the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to represent him. 2
JAKIM which advocates Islam hadhari, civilizational Islam that aims for
Malay Muslims to be modern and progressive, is eager to streamline and standardise
Islamic Law throughout Malaysia.3 This includes the intent to streamline religious
edicts through the means of the National Fatwa Committee by producing federal fatwas,
with the prospect of them being converted into state fatwas. However, it has been the
exception rather than the rule that states do in fact adopt one and the same fatwa as
produced by the National Fatwa Committee. In addition, JAKIM sees it task as curbing

2
Malaysia. n. d. Federal Constitution. Article 3(2).
3
Jenny Schreiber. 2017. Politics, Piety, and Biomedicine: The Malaysian Transplant Venture. Germany:
Transcript Verlag, Bielefeld. p.155.

7
 social problems and has intervened in health issues in the past by releasing a range of
medical fatwas through the National Fatwa Committee.
Futhermore, JAKIM also has to legislate act and Islamic law for the Federal
territories. This is related to Article 3(5) which says that Notwithstanding anything in
this Constitution the Yang di-Pertuan Agong shall be the Head of the religion of Islam
in the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya; and for this
purpose Parliament may by law make provisions for regulating Islamic religious affairs
and for constituting a Council to advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in matters relating
to the religion of Islam.4
JAKIM also functioning to streamline the enforcement of states Islamic law in
the states that is manage and govern by Religious State Council. Lastly, JAKIM has to
streamline fatwa and the implementation compliance which conducted by Majlis Fatwa
Kebangsaan.

b) Islamic Administration Coordination

In the Islamic administration coordination, JAKIM has to control deviation of
faith (aqidah) of deviated groups that threaten national security. For example deviant
teachings that was famous in Malaysia such as Syiah, Tarekat Naqsyabandiah
Khalidiah and others. Besides that, JAKIM also has to streamline the administration of
Islamic affairs for the states which is manage by Religious State Council in every states.
Moreover, JAKIM has to plan administration policies and Islamic affairs management
based on the provision in the Federal Constitution which was then will be followed by
the Religious State Council.
The most functions of JAKIM in Islamic administration coordination are to
build well-established Islamic thinking amongst the people (ummah) based on the
beliefs of the Ahlus Sunnah Wal-Jamaah. Besides that, JAKIM also lead research
efforts on current issues in the field of faith (aqidah), Islamic law, astronomy and
finance (muamalat) at the national, regional and international levels. There are many
scholars that was expert in various fields such as Dr. Zulkifli Hassan in Muamalat
fields.

4
Malaysia. n. d. Federal Constitution. Article 3(5).

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 In addition, to produce missionary cadres and Islamic scholars through training
programmes at Islamic training institutions to fulfil the vacancies in the department of
JAKIM. Besides that, JAKIM also need to monitor and streamline the implementation
of Islamic policies, namely the Assertion of Islamic Values Policy (PNI) and Approach
of Islam Hadhari (PIH) at the ministries and states levels and to strengthen their
understanding and appreciation amongst the society.
To achieve the Key Performance Indicator (KPI) JAKIM has to create a
benchmark in the practice and service of Islam through legislation
of Hadhari Standards. Furthermore, they also need to become the reference and advice
service centre related Islam to the Government and private agencies that need their
helps in the current issues in our society. Although, JAKIM also want to become the
main monitoring agency in Islamic law compliance of various Islamic product services
and consumerism specifically in the fields of Islamic financial systems
and halal industry which is under the Halal Hub Division.
In the same way, JAKIM also want to highlight Islam divinity at the national,
regional and international levels through the National and International al-Quran
Recital Competition, and the celebration of Islamic festive days such as Maulidur
Rasul, Hari Raya Aidiladha and Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Besides, they also become the
information and documentation one-stop centre related to Islamic thinking and
knowledge generated through various forums and conferences at the national and
international levels regarding current issues especially in muamalat and halal issues.
Malaysia are one of the top country that lead others Islamic countries in this specific
issues.
On the other hand, this department also need to increase dawah network
collaboration with non-Governmental organisations at the national and international
levels5 such as UNICEF Malaysia that collaborated to challenging HIV dan AIDS in
Malaysia. Furthermore, they also lead dawah movement to the target groups in an
integrated way through community services (bil-hal), printed media, electronic media
and the new media. In addition, JAKIM also strengthen the survival of Muslims in
Sabah and Sarawak in the education, dawah and socio-economic fields by sending
their Islamic Affairs Officers to help them in Islamic lifestyle. By doing all of this,

5
Sayyid Buhar Musal Kassim, Mohd Syukri Yeoh Abdullah & Zawiyah Baba. 2013. A Study of Islamic
Conversion in Malaysia. International Journal of the Malay World and Civilisation. Bangi: Universiti
Kebangsaan Malaysia. May. p. 93-105.

9
 JAKIM are in order to strengthen unity amongst Muslims in order to become the
ultimate community (khaira ummah) in this world.
Instead, they also strengthen dawah to the non-Muslim society, the aborigines
and the minority groups. This ways helps to strengthen the management of new converts
through the aspects of guidance, welfare and their protection. In addition, to give the
best experiences and easy access to the Muslims, JAKIM also expand Islamic
programmes through radio and television stations such as al-Kuliyyah, Tanyalah Ustaz
and many more. This is one of the ways that they can use to expand programmes with
good Islamic values and personality elements to curb social problems. Thus, it will help
to strengthen the family institution and neighbourhood through education and parenting
skills with the concept of Islamic upbringing (tarbiah).
JAKIM also develop and provide comprehensive Islamic information system
through information technology and communication via their website and user can
access the information through their smartphone. Lastly, JAKIM strengthen the
management of Islamic affairs at the Federal agencies and states through in service-
training programmes.

c) Adjustment and The Development of Islamic Education

To make the vision and mission of JAKIM to be successful, they need to
develop a team of experts in various fields of Islamic knowledge. For example, in the
Halal sector which Malaysia is modern Muslim country where more than half of its 29
million people have embrace Islam as their religion.6 Halal is an Islamic religious guide
to how Muslims should live their lives from the way their food is prepared to how their
personal and social relationships are conducted. In Malaysia Halal is a concept accepted
by all, by both Muslims and non- Muslims. The majority of businesses in Malaysia sells
products or offer services that are Halal endorsed. The Malaysia Halal Certification is
globally respected.
Besides that, it was a big challenges to JAKIM to make Malaysia the hub of
higher learning and research for al-Quran and hadith at the regional and international
levels. For example, Darul Quran that is built to enhance and gives chances to the

6
n. a.. 23 March 2015. Examining Islam in Malaysia Religion Essay. UK Essays.
https://www.ukessays.com/essays/religion/examining-islam-in-malaysia-religion-essay.php.

10
 students to be a good huffaz in Al-Quran besides the academic subjects that they learned
was one of the successful programme by JAKIM.
Furthermore, to make a better Malaysian JAKIM also has to develop and
streamline Islamic education management of state and national religious schools which
help students to obtain a knowledge in Islamic subjects such as Pendidikan Al-Quran
dan As-Sunnah, Arabic Language, Syariah Islamiah and others. The development of
this institutions are rise every year such as Maahad Tahfiz, Sekolah Menengah
Kebangsaan Agama and higher education institutions such as International Islamic
University of Malaysia (IIUM) and Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM).
Other than that, JAKIM also develop and streamline the al-Quran and Fardhu
Ain classes (KAFA) in the current national education which held in the mosque or
Sekolah Rendah Agama (SRA). Lastly, JAKIM has a big role to strengthen the role
and imarah programme of the mosque institution as the knowledge and community
(ummah) civilisation development centre which involves various levels of the society.

5. Conclusion
As the conclusion, we can conclude that JAKIM plays a big role in the
development of Islam in Malaysia. These department are very work hard to make sure
that their roles are successfully to develop Islamic community in this country. To
achieve this roles, they do several and even more activities to make sure the Muslims
are very obedient to the creator and adheres to his religion. This is important to know
that their roles such as the body to legislate and standardise of Islamic law, Islamic
administration coordination and as the adjustment for development of Islamic education
in Malaysia are very accomplished.

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6. References
Jenny Schreiber. 2017. Politics, Piety, and Biomedicine: The Malaysian Transplant
Venture. Germany: Transcript Verlag, Bielefeld.
Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia. 2012. JAKIM 4 Dekad. Vol. 1. Putrajaya:
Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia.
Sayyid Buhar Musal Kassim, Mohd Syukri Yeoh Abdullah & Zawiyah Baba. 2013.
A Study of Islamic Conversion in Malaysia. International Journal of the Malay
World and Civilisation. Bangi: Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. May. p. 93-105.
Malaysia. 2016. Federal Constitution. (Article 3(5)).
n. a. 23 March 2015. Examining Islam in Malaysia Religion Essay. UK Essays.
https://www.ukessays.com/essays/religion/examining-islam-in-malaysia-religion-
essay.php.
Official Portal Department of Islamic Development Malaysia. (Online posting).
<http://m.e-muamalat.gov.my/en/jakim-functions>. accessed: 11 November 2017.
Official Portal Department of Islamic Development Malaysia. (Online posting).
<http://m.e-muamalat.gov.my/en/list-branches-and-divisions-jakim>. accessed: 13
November 2017.

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