ACCEPT decision to demolish surau - Johor MB

Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin today urged all parties to stop the polemics over the issue of demolishing a resort's surau which was also used for the activities of other religions, as the decision to demolish it has already been made.

He said there was no need to argue over the issue anymore as the state government would abide by the order of the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim.

"The decision has been made. It is the order made by Sultan Ibrahim, as the head of the Islamic religion in the state. In making the decision, the Sultan had sought the views and advise of various parties."

Khaled said this to reporters after launching the state-level Merdeka Month and Fly the Jalur Gemilang campaign, here, today.

He was responding to the statement by Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz who regarded the move to demolish the surau as unnecessary.

Khaled said it was observed that the surau was seldom used, hence should not remain, while its kiblat (the direction facing the Ka'aba in Makkah) was clearly off the mark.

On another development, he said the state government had informed Rumah Johor (Johor House) in Egypt to monitor and protect the Johor students there.

He said the state government advised these students to follow the instructions given and to stay put at their hostels to ensure their own safety.

According to him, 334 students there were sponsored by the Johor government in pursuing their studies, while the privately-sponsored students were urged to follow the instructions given by the federal government.

- Bernama