In this Malay name, there is no surname or family name. The name Baharom is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by their given name, Jamil Khir. The word "bin" or "binti"/"binte" means 'son of' or 'daughter of', respectively.
He is a member of the Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) Religious Programme Advisory Committee and often appears on RTM1's religious talk show Forum Perdana Ehwal Islam.[1]
Following the revelation by authorities in 2010 that terrorist group Jemaah Islamiah (JI) had been actively expanding its activities in Malaysia, Jamil Khir became one of the leading figures in the Cabinet to deal with the situation.[4] He assured Malaysians that local Muslim missionary groups and religious schools were not influenced by JI and that his department was working with the Home Ministry to stifle the purported JI movement in Malaysia.[5][6] Regarding terrorism and religion, he said: "There are individuals or groups trying to make their way into these institutions to influence students. They use religion to realise their goal and this is the reason why terrorism is linked to Islam."[6] He also said that Malaysian students in the Middle East were being monitored for suspicious activity.[7]
Following a controversy in March 2011 involving underaged girls being married to middle-aged men, Jamil Khir defended the country's Syariah marriage laws, which apply only to Muslims. Rights groups called for laws that allow marriage under the age of 16 if religious officials give their consent to be amended. However, Jamil Khir disagreed, arguing that the current laws are sufficient as authorities "does not simply grant the consent [to marry someone aged 16 and below]."[8]
Jamil Khir is an outspoken opponent of homosexuality. In November 2011, he called homosexuality "unconstitutional"; though he later clarified he meant it is against the Penal Code.[10] In response to a gay Malaysian pastor getting married in New York, Jamil Khir said same-sex marriage is a form of "extreme human rights" and "will create social problems."[11] He also criticised LGBT-rights event Seksualiti Merdeka for promoting "a deviation from society's norms."[12]
In the 2018 election, Jamil Khir failed to retain the Jerai parliamentary seat when he lost to Sabri Azit from PAS, in a closely three-corner fight with Akhramsyah Muammar Ubaidah Sanusi from People's Justice Party (PKR) of Pakatan Harapan (PH).
Controversies
Fake Allegation Of Zakat Fund Misuse
On June 21, 2011, People's Justice Party (PKR)'s Secretary-General, Saifuddin Nasution Ismail questioned the Federal Government Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) misuse of RM32 thousand zakat. The RM31,150.00 check was submitted to Che Mat, Zainul Riijal Talha & Amir, who was self-signed by Che Mat, who is also Secretary MAIWP on April 21, 2010.While they are not the eighth asnaf. Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim revealed that MAIWP's zakat allocation was used to finance the legal fees of Dato' Seri Jamil Khir Baharom and JAWI Director-General Datuk Che Mat Ali. They both faced court action for not initiating prosecution against Saiful Bukhari in the case of Qazaf involving case of Defamation II Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The question arises as "Datuk Che Mat Ali approves Datuk Che Mat Ali."
In September 2011, Jamil Khir denied an allegation by Malaysia Today that he used zakat funds collected by religious authorities to finance a house for his family. Malaysia Today had published a photo of his home, alleging that it was worth millions of ringgit. Jamil Khir said his house was renovated with his own money.[14][15]
The High Court has struck out a suit by Yayasan Pembangunan Anak Yatim/Miskin (Foundation for the Advancement of Orphans and the Poor, or Pemangkin) against YaPEIM and six others over misconduct and efforts to shut down the foundation.
False statement
In February 2020, while testifying as a defense witness in the trial of former Prime Minister Najib Razak concerning SRC International Sdn Bhd, Jamil Khir Baharom's testimony claiming that he was with Najib in Saudi Arabia on January 11, 2010, for an informal meeting with the late King Abdullah was challenged by a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigating officer. Mohd Nasharudin Amir, who serves as MACC’s assistant commissioner, informed the High Court that an article published in a bulletin by the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) indicated that Jamil Khir was, in fact, addressing a gathering in Putrajaya on that very day.[18][19]
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