Kuala lumpur: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar, has issued a reminder to Islamic preachers and missionaries, particularly those operating independently, to strictly adhere to the ethics and guidelines set by state religious authorities.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohd Na’im emphasized the need for rigorous screening of the background, character, and qualifications of independent preachers and missionaries who lack recognition or supervision from authoritative institutions. This measure is intended to ensure that their teachings are beneficial and not misleading. He stressed the importance of upholding good morals, integrity, and self-respect in accordance with Islamic teachings, especially for independent religious figures.
Mohd Na’im reiterated that being a preacher is not an authorization to misuse religion for personal gain or to engage in improper conduct. He further noted that the MADANI Government is committed to reinforcing a structured, professional, and integrity-focused preaching ecosystem. In support of this, his office, in collaboration with Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (YADIM), has initiated programs such as Felo Muda Dakwah (FMD) and Akademi Daie Muda YADIM (ADMY) to develop young preachers in the country.
Since 2014, a total of 364 individuals have received intensive training through these programs, as part of ongoing efforts by the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) to cultivate preachers who embody the values of a MADANI ummah.
Addressing a recent incident involving an independent speaker accused of distributing explicit content, Mohd Na’im highlighted the severe negative consequences of such actions, including damage to the individual’s dignity, harm to the dakwah institution’s image, and erosion of public trust in religious leadership. He urged the public to allow authorities the necessary space for a thorough, fair, and transparent investigation without rushing to make broad generalizations or judgments.
Mohd Na’im also called for a rejection of public shaming, especially when motivated by a desire for influence or personal gain. The incident in question involved the arrest of a freelance preacher suspected of disseminating explicit videos and images purportedly to shame his wife and other women.