Former Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainal Abidin is expected to be charged at the Syariah Court in Gombak Timur by the Friday for giving religious talks without tauliah (authorisation), said Selangor Islamic Department (Jais) today.

NONE Speaking to reporters in Shah Alam, Jais' public relations assistant director Mohd Hidayat Abd Rani said the investigation papers on Mohd Asri are "almost ready" and the prosecution team will seek an earliest date to liaise with the court.

"The prosecutors are currently re-checking the investigation papers (before Asri is brought to court)," he said.

Mohd Hidayat added that the religious enforcement agency will also seek an application at the Gombak Syariah Court to transfer the case to Shah Alam Syariah Court as the nature of the case was considered to be "high-profile".

"It is also easier for us to administrate this case from Shah Alam... besides that, such (an) application is allowed under the law," he said.

This latest move by Jais is set to spark a major outcry from various quarters that had earlier criticised the arrest of the former mufti while he was giving religious talks at a private property in Taman Sri Ukay, Gombak on Nov 1.

Both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat leaders, including Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, have condemned the move, saying that Mohd Asri should not have been arrested for not having tauliah as he was a renowned religious scholar.

Asri supposed to be charged last week

The latest development also indicated that Jais was determined to bring Mohd Asri to court, despite its failure to charge him on the night of the arrest.

The former mufti was also given a letter by Jais, asking him to be present at the Gombak Timur Syariah Court the next day.

However the Jais prosecution team and investigating officer did not turn up although Mohd Asri and his supporters had waited for almost four hours.

His lawyers Zulkifli Che Yong and Azmi Rais later issued a statement that their client would not be charged and that Jais wanted to record the former mufti's statement on another date.

Mohd Asri is being investigated under Section 119 of the Selangor Islamic Administration Enactment for not possessing authorisation to conduct religious talks.

If found guilty, he is liable to a maximum fine of RM3,000 or a maximum two years jail or both.

Hasan defends Jais

Meanwhile, Selangor PAS commissioner Hasan Ali defended Jais' action in arresting the ex-mufti, stating that all religious scholars must obtain a tauliah in accordance of the Selangor Religious Enactment.

"However, we are not stopping them from giving religious talks, but we should understand that Jais is just being careful," said Hasan.

hasan ali umno pas selangor talk quality hotel 300708 05 He added that there had been another case when a religious scholar was caught for deviant teaching for holding talks without a tauliah .

"That is why we are scared they would smuggle this kind of teachings through the public talks. That is why they need a tauliah ," he said.

Hasan also said that he had received reports that Jais officials had to ‘repeatedly persuade' Mohd Asri to stop his ceramah.

"It took the Jais officials quite awhile to ask Mohd Asri to come out of the room (where he was giving his ceramah), until they had to ask for the police presence to come and assist them," said Hasan.

"If you listen to one quarter and don't listen to others, then you won't be fair for us to make a judgment," said Hasan.