Johor resort operator to face action over use of surau by Buddhists

The Buddhists group are seen here in the surau at the resort in Kota Tinggi. August 13, 2013.The Johor Fatwa Committee will decide on the action against a resort operator in Sedili Besar, Kota Tinggi, which allegedly allowed its surau to be used for other religious services.

Johor Mufti Datuk Mohd Tahrir Samsudin said a decision would be made after an investigation is carried out under Section 7(a) of the Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment 1997 for insulting Islam or causing Islam to be looked down upon.

"Based on monitoring and surveying of the surau, we find there is doubt in terms of its design. It does not face the Kaabah (in Mecca, as required) but faces outside of Masjidil Haram," he said.

He said this after visiting the surau at a resort near Sedili Besar here today, which was believed to have been used for Buddhist religious activities.

Also present were Johor Religious Council Adviser Datuk Noh Gadut and Kota Tinggi District Officer Mohd Noor Azam Osman.

Mohd Tahrir reminded all quarters to abide by the law and not belittle the sanctity of Islam.

Meanwhile, Noh said, based on his observation, there were errors in the Quranic verses and writings found in the surau area which gave rise to doubt and tarnished the sanctity of Islam.

He stressed that the issue would cause problems if not tackled, especially in the light of Malaysia practising a multi-racial policy.

Newspapers today reported that residents in the fishing village of Sedili Besar were upset when a surau in a resort was found to have been used for other religious services.

Meanwhile, Johor police have detained the resort manager to facilitate investigations.

State police chief Datuk Mohd Mokhtar Mohd Shariff said the 45-year-old man was picked up at the resort today at 2pm.

He said a special team headed by his deputy, Datuk Ismail Yatim, was investigating the matter. - Bernama,