SHAH ALAM, Jan 30 — The Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) has stressed that it, as well as the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS), has no authority to order the eviction of land involving the issue of encroachment on gazetted land in PJS 4, Petaling Jaya.
Its director Dato’ Mohd Shahzihan Ahmad said the authority to carry out land eviction lies entirely under the jurisdiction of the state government via the land administrator, in accordance with the provisions of the National Land Code.
The land in question belongs to the state government and has been gazetted for public use under Section 62 of the National Land Code, specifically as Muslim burial grounds.
“The role of JAIS in this matter is solely as the controlling officer, responsible for ensuring that the use of the land complies with the purpose of the gazettement as stipulated.
“Land gazetted under the control of JAIS remains state government land and is not owned by the department,” he said in a statement today.
Shahzihan added that if encroachment or use of the land is inconsistent with the purpose of the gazettment, they will lodge a report with the District and Land Office for further enforcement, as was done in the case at PJS 4.
Concerning the demolition of a temple in the area, he said the action was neither under the control nor instruction of JAIS or MAIS, but instead involved the administration of non-Muslim places of worship, which is under the state government's purview.
No wakaf, zakat, or baitulmal funds, including the Selangor Muslim Community Endowment Fund (TIJARI), were used to cover costs or financial implications related to the enforcement of land encroachment.
“These funds are a trust of the Muslim community and may only be used in accordance with their original purpose, in line with the principles of Syariah and Islamic financial governance,” Shahzihan said.
As such, the director urged the public not to associate the temple demolition issue in PJS 4 with religious oppression, but to view it as a land administration matter subject to existing laws.
“JAIS and MAIS reaffirm their commitment to continue carrying out their responsibilities professionally, grounded in the law and the values of justice, trust, and harmony in society,” he said.
