NRD clarifies 2023 video of Home Minister officiating non-Muslim civil marriage

A video circulating online shows Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail solemnising a civil marriage between a non-Muslim couple, but the National Registration Department (NRD) clarified that the recording dates back to 2023. The clip was part of NRD’s Diamond Jubilee celebration held alongside National Registration Day that year, and the department had already provided an official explanation on Oct 25, 2023. NRD emphasized that re-posting the old footage without proper context creates a misleading impression and could cause public misunderstanding.

It reiterated its responsibility for registering civil marriages of non-Muslims under the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act and said the minister’s participation was within its statutory duties. The department also said it sought input from the Federal Territories Mufti Department on any Islamic law considerations. Officials urged the public to rely on factual explanations from the appropriate authorities rather than speculation.