Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim has raised a critical issue, urging the Malaysian religious affairs ministry to prioritize the alarming rise in sodomy cases over its push for mandatory halal certification for eateries. In a passionate statement on social media, he described the situation as an "epidemic," highlighting the sexual abuse of young boys in welfare homes associated with religious organizations.
Zaid's remarks were prompted by the recent announcement from Minister of Religious Affairs Na’im Mokhtar, who discussed the possibility of making halal certification compulsory for certain restaurants. Zaid questioned the ministry's focus, suggesting that the suffering and trauma of young boys should take precedence over food certification concerns.
In his post, he pointed out several sodomy cases reported between 2017 and 2024 across various states, including Perlis, Perak, and Johor Bahru. He expressed concern that these incidents might only represent a fraction of the larger problem, stating, "I am sure we only know a small part of the horror story."
To combat this issue, Zaid proposed three immediate measures. Firstly, he suggested that the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) deploy officers to religious and tahfiz schools, similar to how moral police monitor khalwat (close proximity) cases. He emphasized the need for active surveillance to protect vulnerable children.
Secondly, he called on Jakim to allocate part of its RM1.5 billion budget towards initiatives aimed at addressing the sodomy crisis. He urged the department to communicate to Muslims the seriousness with which Islam views such offenses, stressing that awareness and education are vital in combating the issue.
Lastly, Zaid insisted that Shariah courts must enhance their prosecution of sodomy cases involving minors. He questioned the lack of action in this area, noting, "How many cases have they started to prosecute? None." He urged leaders responsible for safeguarding the dignity of Islam to take immediate action before the situation worsens.
His remarks came in light of recent raids on 20 welfare homes in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan, where allegations of sexual abuse have surfaced. Zaid advised parents to be discerning when selecting tahfiz schools for their children, emphasizing that not all religious instructors have good intentions. "Protect our young. Don’t just think about getting into heaven," he warned.
Zaid's call to action reflects a growing concern about the safety and welfare of children in religious institutions. As the nation grapples with these serious issues, his appeal urges a reevaluation of priorities within the religious affairs ministry. Instead of focusing predominantly on halal certification, Zaid believes the ministry should actively address the pressing social issues affecting the most vulnerable members of society.
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