Department of Islamic Development Malaysia

The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia or popularly known as JAKIM, is a federal government agency in Malaysia that administers Islamic affairs in Malaysia.

WWW Official Site

History

In 1969, Malaysia's Conference of Rulers decided that there was a need for a body to mobilise the development and progress of Muslims in Malaysia, in line with the status of Malaysia as a growing Muslim-majority country and gaining international attention.
Realising this fact, a secretariat to the National Council of Islamic Religious Affairs Malaysia was established, to preserve the purity of Islamic beliefs and teachings. The secretariat was later developed as the Religious Division, the Prime Minister's Department which was then re-promoted to the Islamic Affairs Division .
On 1 January 1997, in line with the growing development and progress of Islam in the country, the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia was established by the Malaysian government as taking over power and role of BAHEIS.
On 1 October 2003, a new halal certification logo is introduced.

Functions

The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia, the Prime Minister's Department plays a central role in the planning of Islamic Affairs management and development of the Ummah with the following functions:

Responsible as a planner who determines the development and progress of Islamic Affairs in Malaysia;
Formulate a policy for the development of Islamic Affairs in the country and maintain the purity of Islamic beliefs and teachings
Assist in formulating and harmonising the necessary laws and regulations as well as evaluating and coordinating the implementation of existing laws and administration in the efforts to resolve problems of Muslims;
Implement ummah development programs and appreciation of Islam in the management of the country;
Coordinate legal enforcement mechanisms as well as regulatory affairs of Islamic Affairs nationwide;
Evaluate Islamic Affairs programs implemented in the country;
Acting as a collector, disseminator and reference center of information on Islamic affairs; and
Implement community development efforts through regional and international cooperation.

Organisation structure

The department consists of three main sectors, namely Policy Sector, Operations Sector and Management Sector.
The Policy Sector is divided into six Divisions:

Islamic Development Policy division
Research division
Coordination of Shariah Enforcement and Prosecution division
External Affairs and Relationships division
Halal Management division
Maqasid Syariah division

The Operations Sector is divided into five divisions:

Dawah division
Family, Social and Community division
Publications division
Broadcasting division - Known as the Radio and Television Dawah Units of state broadcaster Radio Televisyen Malaysia before their transfer to the Islamic Affairs division of the Prime Minister Department on 1 June 1994. It is responsible for producing religious programmings for RTM's radio and television channels. Its radio channel – Salam FM was established on 15 February 2009 and broadcast from Wisma Radio in Angkasapuri, Kuala Lumpur from 11:00pm to 8:00am, sharing the same frequency as Asyik FM.
Education division

The Management Sector is divided into four divisions:

Human Resource Management division
Financial division
Information Management division
Management Services division

The following organisations are placed directly under the Director General of Jakim:

Islamic Training Institute of Malaysia
Legal Division
Secretary of the Malaysian Halal Council
Darul Quran
Sarawak Islamic Skills Institute
Sabah Institute of Islamic Studies and Dawah
JAKIM
JAKIM
Corporate Communication unit
Integrity Unit

The three main mosques are placed under the JAKIM Preaching Division:

List of Directors-General

Since formation of JAKIM, 10 peoples was appointed in this position with currently lead by Sirajuddin Suhaimee.

Name	Years in office
Abdul Hamid Zainal Abidin	1995 - 2001
Mohamad Shahir Abdullah	2001 - 2003
Mustafa Abdul Rahman	2004 - 2006
Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abdul Aziz	2006 - 2012
Othman Mustapha	2012 - 2018
Mohamad Nordin Ibrahim	2018 - 2019
Paimuzi Yahya	2020
Abdul Aziz Jusoh	2021 - 2022
Hakimah Mohd Yusoff	2022 - 2024
Sirajuddin Suhaimee	2024 - Incumbent

Legalisation

The formation of JAKIM faced criticism from many groups claiming its establishment violated the constitution of Malaysia. G25, a group of representing of former civil servant said the established of JAKIM was not aligned with constitution as power of the Conference of Rulers does not include the formation of JAKIM cited of Article 38 of the constitution. However, former Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohamad defended the formation of JAKIM by citing it was aimed at bringing the government in line with Islamic teachings. His statement was supported by Mujahid Yusof Rawa, former Minister in the Prime Minister's Department quoted it was set up to cater to the current needs, including when it comes to managing the budget for the administration of Islamic matters.