The Prime Minister’s Department will investigate a viral marriage letter allegedly issued by the Malaysia Rohingya Ulama Council using a JAKIM reference number
PUTRAJAYA: The Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) will investigate claims circulating on social media that a Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) reference number was used as proof of recognition for a marriage declaration letter issued by the Malaysia Rohingya Ulama Council.
Its minister, Dr Zulkifli Hasan, said he had yet to receive complete information on the matter.
“We will investigate. I have not received the details regarding the matter yet,” he told reporters after officiating the second Malaysian Syariah Prosecutors Conference (PePSSM) 2026 here today.
A marriage declaration letter allegedly issued by the Malaysia Rohingya Ulama Council had recently gone viral on social media, displaying the reference number “JAKIM.PERH/LN.800-7(5)”, which raised questions over its connection to JAKIM.
Media reports stated that the Perak Islamic Religious Department (JAIPk) does not recognise the letter as a valid document. The department also said marriages involving the Rohingya community could not be registered as the matter involved policy issues being reviewed by state religious authorities.
In another development, Zulkifli said the issue of religious lectures being delivered without accreditation on social media platforms was under review.
However, he said the matter falls under the jurisdiction of state governments, which are responsible for regulating religious teaching accreditation, including issuing approvals to qualified individuals.
“We are still looking into how to address the issue of (religious teaching without accreditation) online,” he said.
He said the government was studying the best approach to handle the matter as it involved legal considerations.
“At the department level, we always ensure that those invited to appear on air and other platforms have accreditation,” he said when asked about enforcement challenges faced by religious enforcement officers (PPA) in curbing such activities.
Earlier in his speech, Zulkifli said the government would continue improving Syariah laws to address emerging challenges, particularly cyber-related crimes.
He said cooperation with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), police (PDRM) and the Attorney General’s Chambers must be strengthened to ensure effective Syariah enforcement and prosecution.
Zulkifli added that Syariah prosecutors must enhance their capabilities in areas such as digital forensics, data analysis and technology to remain prepared for increasingly complex crimes.
