ADMINISTRATION OF MUSLIM LAW (FITRAH) RULES, 1968 (Action against instigators of opposition to)

Inche Rahmat Bin Kenap asked the Minister for Social Affairs whether he is aware that there are persons who are instigating members of the Muslim community to oppose the Administration of Muslim Law (Fitrah) Rules, 1968, and what action he has taken or proposes to take in the matter.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Affairs (Inche Buang Bin Omar Junid) (for the Minister for Social Affairs): (In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir,I have been asked by the Minister to reply. No complaints have been received by the Ministry of Social Affairs that there are persons instigating mem bers of the Muslim community to oppose the Administration of Muslim Law (Fitrah) Rules, 1968. Should there be such persons, there is provision under Rule 13 (3) of the Fitrah Rules to deal with them. Rule 13 (3) states as follows:

'Any person who obstructs, prevents or restrains or does any act likely to obstruct, prevent or restrain any person from paying fitrah under these Rules and any person who without lawful authority receives any fitrah from any person, shall be guilty of an offence under these Rules and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both such fine and imprisonment.'