BATU PAHAT - The Sultan of Johor on Saturday (Oct 11) ordered the state Islamic religious department (JAIJ) to stop dealing with the Malaysian Islamic Development Department, or Jakim.

This comes after an employee of Jakim, Muslim preacher Zamihan Mat Zin gave a religious lecture in which he criticised a sultan - understood to be the Johor ruler - for barring a Muslim-only launderette in the state. In a video uploaded on Youtube, Zamihan had said, "There was a sultan who had said Muslim-friendly launderettes are not allowed in his state. It is not right for the sultan to say such things."

Zamihan was arrested on Wednesday (Oct 11) for sedition.

According to the New Straits Times, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar also pointed out that Jakim should, from now on, stop giving its views to Johor.

"Several mufti and Islamic scholars have given their views on the issue of the (Muslim-friendly) launderette in Muar.

"Unfortunately, Zamihan has criticised me and undermined the views of the mufti and scholars. The way he said it was also arrogant, as if only he is the only person who is right.

"If it is true that he is a Jakim officer, then I don't know where the department found him because for me, he is like an empty can and brainless.

"When he was condemned on the matter, he denied saying all those things.

"After this, I have directed JAIJ not to waste time dealing with Jakim, and Jakim in turn does not need to give any views to the state of Johor," said Sultan Ibrahim in a speech at the opening of the Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia convocation ceremony on Saturday.

Sultan Ibrahim also said he does not want to prolong the issue and has forgiven Zamihan, reported the NST.