Malaysian minister visits Religious Affairs Ministry

Bandar Seri Begawan - Minister at the Malaysian Prime Minister`s Office Dato` Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi yesterday paid a visit to Brunei Ministry of Religious Affairs in Jalan Menteri Besar.

Accompanying the Malaysian minister were Malaysian High Commissioner in Brunei Darussalam Dato` Ku Jaafar Ku Shaari, Director of Wakaf, Zakat and Haji (Jawhar) Dr Haji Sohaimi bin Haji Mohd Salleh, and Media Secretary to the Minister at the Malaysian Prime Minister`s Office Mohd Kamal bin Abdullah.

Present to welcome the Malaysian visitors were Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Jawatan Luar Pekerma Raja Dato Seri Utama Dr Ustaz Awang Haji Mohd Zain bin Haji Serudin, Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Awang Haji Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Othman and Acting Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Religious Affairs Dato Paduka Awang Haji Ishaaq bin Haji Abdullah, as well as other senior officials at the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Later, the delegation visited Islamic Dakwah Centre in a bid to learn more about of the centre`s organisational structure and its operations.

On arrival at the centre in Kampong Pulaie, the group was greeted by Acting Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Religious Affairs Dato Paduka Awang Haji Ishaaq Haji Abdullah and other officials at the centre.

Then, a briefing on the visions, missions and various administrative functions, as well as long-term strategic plans of the Ministry of Religious Affairs was delivered by Administrative Director Pengiran Haji Mohd Tahir Pengiran Haji Yusof.

The visitors were also briefed on the growth and development of Islam in the country before they browsed the centre`s gallery, where they took a closer look at the collection of Kitab Suci Al-Quran, as well as the Kiswah Pintu Kaabah Tahun 1408H/1987M, which was given to His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam by the King of Saudi Arabia.

The delegation also examined the various prohibited substances and entities that go against the teachings of Islam, which are on display at the gallery.

The Malaysian minister used to serve as a political secretary to Dato Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak, who was then Minister of Youth and Culture and Minister of Defence.

He later served as Deputy Minister of Tourism Malaysia and Deputy Minister of Information.

He is currently an Umno Supreme Council member and a member of parliament for Bagan Datok. By Jon Tampoi & Ben Ng

Source: http://www.brunei-online.com (July 03, 2008)

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