Govt holding discussions to absorb Imams, Bilals into civil service

NSTP
KUALA LUMPUR, TUES:

The government is still discussing with State Islamic Religious Departments to include the posts of imam and bilal (mosque officials) in the civil service.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Senator Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim said the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) was spearheading the discussions but no decision had been finalised.

“Generally, imams and bilals are appointed by the state governments and their terms of service are subject to the states concerned,” she said when answering a question from Senator Wan Ramlah Wan Ahmad at the Dewan Negara today.

Wan Ramlah wanted to know when the federal government would place imams and bilals under the civil service to allow them a monthly salary like other civil servants.