JOHOR BAHRU, 13 May 2020:
The Johor government has allowed the Friday and Aidilfitri prayers as well as the ‘akad nikah’ (marriage solemnisation) ceremonies to be held during the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) period.
State Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Tosrin Jarvanthi said the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar has issued a decree to allow the matter to be implemented statewide.
However, he said, the implementation must be in compliance with the standard operating procedures set by the Johor Islamic Religious Department (JAINJ) and Ministry of Health – including only 12 persons will be allowed to perform Aidilfitri prayers at mosques in the state.
“These 12 individuals include the imams (first and second), bilal, siak and eight mosque committee members.
“The committee at district levels will ensure strict adherence with the help of security personnel as we are concerned that once Aidilfitri prayers are allowed, despite being restricted to 12 individuals, people will still rush to the mosque.
“We will make sure this does not happen but if it does, there will be no Aidilfitri prayer to be held at the mosque,” he said at a press conference here today.
He said for Friday prayers at the mosques, it would only be allowed from May 15 onwards, with the number of congregation being limited to only 12 people, similar to the Aidilfitri prayers.
“The district Kadi office will get help from the security personnel to ensure the congregation has only 12 people as it is feared that civilians or foreigners will rush to the mosque.”
Tosrin said as for the ‘akad nikah’ ceremony, it could be held from May 17 onwards but only at the district Kadi offices and attendees must be limited to six people including the bride, her guardian and witnesses.
He said 872 couples were expected to hold their marriage solemnisation ceremonies as they have already obtained the approval prior to the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) on March 18.
Meanwhile, the Sarawak State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) today decided that Hari Raya and Hari Gawai in the state will be celebrated for only one day.
SDMC chairman Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas said based on the state’s standard operating procedure (SOP), attendance at such celebrations will be limited to close family members numbering not more than 20 per day.
Uggah said inter-district travel in Sarawak is also allowed with written police permission.
“For public servants in essential services who commute between two districts such as Kuching-Samarahan or Kuching-Serian or Bau-Kuching and others, they need only to show their department pass or employer’s letter.
“As for others, they have to apply for a permit from the police,” he said at a press conference.
Sarawak today recorded one Covid-19 positive case after two consecutive days of zero cases.
In PUTRAJAYA, the National Security Council (NSC) has decided to limit visits in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Pesta Kaamatan and Hari Gawai to only the first day of the festivals in view of the CMCO.
Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the visits should involve only close family members and up to a maximum of 20 people per day.
“This maximum number of 20 people per day is also subject to the size of the residence to ensure social distancing procedures can be practised. For example, for a 600-sq ft flat, having 20 together is too many and difficult for observing social distancing. So, maybe the number needs to be reduced (in this case).
“Do observe the standard operating procedure (SOP) on healthcare practices like wearing of face masks, using hand sanitisers and washing hands with soap during visitations,” he told a daily press conference on the CMCO today.
Ismail Sabri said the people should adhere to these practices to avoid a resurgence of Covid-19 cases as had happened in other countries.
He said the people should show discipline to avoid mass gatherings and to take responsibility for their own safety and that of their family although restrictions had been eased to allow them to celebrate together.
“For the sake of our own safety, we should decide who can celebrate with us. This is because senior citizens are a high-risk group and our presence may pose a great danger to them.”
He stressed the traditional practice of holding open house during festivals is banned under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342).
The government has extended the CMCO by four weeks to June 9 to further contain the spread of Covid-19.
– Bernama