It's time for television stations, production companies to establish Syariah compliance depts - Idris

KUALA LUMPUR: The time has come for television stations and television production companies to establish their own Syariah compliance departments to check, filter and monitor all scripts and content before they are broadcast, says Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Idris Ahmad.

In a Facebook post today, he said the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) had always cooperated with all industry players and has published guidelines for the reference of all parties.

"Art works or programmes that try to normalise culture that is in violation of Islamic law and the moral values and culture of this country's society must be avoided at all costs. It must be opposed completely, starting from all of us.

"It is true that entertainment is part of nature, but let it be in line with and based on religion and the Syariah," he said.

Idris said he had received feedback and opinions from broadcasting industry players in a meeting held, and found that there were still many who preferred shows and broadcasts with Islamic content.

"Hopefully this meeting and discussion can breathe new life into the national broadcasting scene, especially in terms of inculcating religious values and content that is Syariah compliant," he said.

-- BERNAMA