Speech at mosque: Johor Sultan fumes, MP defends himself

Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar is incensed over a DAP lawmaker delivering a speech at a mosque, which the Johor ruler said had caused unease.

The monarch accused Labis MP Pang Hok Liong of politicking and challenging the position of Islam.

However, Pang told Malaysiakini that he did not raise political issues, but was merely distributing aid to mosques and surau in conjunction with the month of Ramadan.

A photograph of the veteran lawmaker giving a speech at Majlis Tenang Steysen in Labis on May 10 had gone viral on social media.

Pang was also accused of disobeying a Johor Islamic Council (Maij) circular barring all politicians, except the menteri besar and state religious affairs exco, from delivering speeches for official programmes in mosques.

In a statement this afternoon, Sultan Ibrahim said the Labis MP had defiled the sanctity of the mosque and threatened the position of Islam.

Describing his action as unethical and rude, the ruler also accused Pang of breaching the boundaries set by the monarch, being insensitive to the Majj circular and hurting the feelings of Muslims.

"I am confident the MP and vested parties will deny they made political speeches in that function.

"However, I am consistent in stressing that mosques and suraus are off limits for political activities.

"This is because most of the activities organised by those from political parties are coloured with statements to create conflict, insults, slander and to gain the community's sympathy to raise their popularity," he added.

The ruler urged Maij to take action against mosque administrators who provide a platform to politicians and warned that those who violated the regulations would face stern action.

MP unaware of circular

Meanwhile, Pang said he was unaware of the Maij circular barring politicians from speaking at mosques.

"I didn't touch anything on politics. My speech was brief. It was just to announce the aid and to wish them a happy Ramadan, that is it.

"Is there anything wrong with a non-Muslim giving contributions to a mosque?" he added.

Pang said he is aware that mosques should be free from politics and does not need to be reminded of this.

"When I was in the opposition, we advocated that all places of worship should not be used for politicking and I maintain that," he added.

He also claimed that Umno politicians were politicking in mosques, but had gone unpunished.

Pang also hit back at critics who allegedly called him "anjing" (dog) and accused him of defiling the mosque by being unclean. - Mkini