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KUALA LUMPUR: All fatwa (edicts) on e-cigarettes and conventional cigarettes issued by the National Fatwa Council must be gazetted at the state level before they become legally binding.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom said according the Federal Constitution, the enforcement of fatwa fell under the purview of the respective state governments.
“The gazetting of any fatwa or decisions made by the National Fatwa Council falls under the authority of the states’ religious bodies,” he told Ahmad Baihaki Atiqullah (Pas-Kuban Kerian) during Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Ahmad Baihaki had asked whether efforts had been taken by the government to empower the National Fatwa Council by granting it authority to enforce its fatwa on Muslims.
Jamil Khir said the fatwa issued by the council on vaping and smoking could be legally enforced and streamlined should all 14 states decide to gazette them.
“It will be up to the muftis and their colleagues to bring the matter back to their respective states. They can hold discussions at the state level and decide if they want to gazette the fatwas,” he said.
Jamie Khir, however, made it clear that fatwa gazetted at the state level could only be enforced on Muslims.
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