Pahang sultan unhappy with news portal report for politicising speech

Pahang’s Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah is upset with a news portal for reportedly misrepresenting a speech the ruler gave earlier this month.

While the portal was not named, the report titled “Sultan Pahang beri amaran terhadap amalan bawaan PAS” (Pahang sultan warns against PAS’ practices) was published by Harapan Daily.

The pro-Pakatan Harapan portal had reported on an excerpt of a speech Sultan Abdullah gave, which was being shared on Tiktok.

In the speech, which the Pahang palace confirmed was from a Maran district development briefing on March 20, the state ruler had remarked that “old sicknesses” should be forbidden from mosques.

This includes having two competing imams during prayers and declaring others as kafir.

“I give my warning, that any mosque that allows this will have to bear responsibility. The village chief and assemblyperson will have to be responsible, and I too will be responsible,” the ruler said.

Sultan Abdullah added that politicking can take place every five years - referring to elections - but that mosques must be kept as sacred places.

The monarch did not mention PAS, as alleged by Harapan Daily in its report.

However, the practice of having two competing imams performing prayers in a congregation had been associated with PAS in the past.

Likewise, PAS has often been accused of declaring other Muslims as kafir.

In a statement today, Pahang comptroller Mohamed Zahari Yahya said that Sultan Abdullah viewed the news report as slanderous and could have a negative impact on harmony.

“His Royal Highness’ remarks were not aimed at any political party and were general in nature.

“It was meant as a reminder that mosques were places of worship and that Muslims must safeguard its sanctity,” the statement read.

The ruler also issued a reminder to the media to abide by media ethics at all times. - Mkini