Deputy Chief Minister I of Penang Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abd Rahman is scheduled to hold a press conference at a surau in Penang which is embroiled in a controversy over the azan (Muslim call to prayer).
The press conference will be held at Surau Saidina Umar Tri Pinnace, Tanjung Tokong at 6pm.
Contacted by Malaysiakini, Zakiyuddin refused to comment on the issue for now as it would be discussed in a special session this afternoon.
Previously, there were claims that the apartment's Joint Management Committee (JMP) barred the surau from using loudspeakers.
The issue became heated after being raised by controversial activist Mohd Sophian Mohd Zain through a video that went viral on social media.
"They don't allow the call to prayer. Want to tell us to have the speakers placed inside.
"Previously, I was told (by JMB) that the volume should be reduced to 1 but later they told me it should be lowered further," he told Malaysiakini.
Argument in a meeting
In addition, there was also a video recording of an argument in a meeting related to the issue.
The chairperson of the surau, Mohd Nasir Abdul Majid, told Malaysiakini that it happened on March 23 during the JMB general meeting.
"You can listen for yourself, there are those who asked for loudspeakers to be placed inside the surau instead," he said.
Nasir claimed this dispute has been going on since last year and the volume has already been lowered but the surau committee is unable to fulfil the request to install loudspeakers in the surau.
"This condo is very high, if you don't use speakers you won't be able to hear up to the 48th (top) floor," he explained.
Nasir stressed that the issue is about the sensitivity of Muslims and has nothing to do with race or politics.
Malaysiakini has attempted to contact the JMB for comment since yesterday.
The surau committee has also lodged a police report on the matter but declined to reveal its contents.
Last night, two more police reports were lodged, including by Permatang Pauh PKR Youth leader Fahmi Zainol.
Sophian also said he would make a report at the Tanjung Tokong police station tonight and invited the public to come and show support.
Meanwhile, police have summoned the JMB of the condominium to have their statements recorded on the matter, said state police chief Khaw Kok Chin.
NST quoted him saying that the police will try to use diplomatic means to resolve the matter as it involved "sensitive" religious issue.
"Both parties have been called to find a solution together. This issue is sensitive, so we have to be careful," the daily quoted him telling reporters at the state police contingent headquarters today.
According to him further, the Penang government had also held a meeting regarding the issue this morning. - Mkini
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