Agong orders MAIPP to find new procedures to appoint mosque committee members

(Bernama) - Yang Dipertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin has ordered Penang Islamic Religious Council (MAIPP) set up an independent committee to find new procedures in appointing mosque committee members.

MAIPP president Ellias Zakaria said the message was conveyed when he had an audience with Tuanku Mizan accompanied by Penang Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas at Istana Negara this morning.

He said that committee members to be appointed and new procedures proposed will have to get consent from Tuanku Mizan as the head of Islam for Penang.

"Tuanku Mizan wants everybody to protect and respect the dignity and sanctity of mosque as a house of God and a religious institution for the community," he told reporters here today.

Ellias said Tuanku Mizan also ordered that the proposed mosque committee elections for 2012-2013 tomorrow be called off.

Tuanku Mizan had also consented to extend the appointment of existing mosque committee members until Dec 31, 2012.

He reminded that selection of mosque committee members should be made in the spirit of voluntarism, harmony and love for each other.

"All parties must abide and view the Agong's decision positively and in terms of wisdom. Please don't speculate."

On Monday, the DAP-led Penang government decided to conduct mosque committee elections in 200 mosques.

Meanwhile, Penang Umno liaison chairman Datuk Zainal Abidin Osman said Tuanku Mizan's decision to call off mosque committee elections shows that he is concerned with unity, cooperation and peace in the state.

"The decision by the head of Islam is appropriate and welcomed by the people who don't want Muslims to split due to mosque elections."

Zainal said this shows that the Penang government and MAIPP could not take things for granted as they need to get consent from the Agong before conducting elections.