SIVARASA SAYS SORRY TO SULTAN SHARAFUDDIN

Selangor ruler reprimanded Subang MP for delivering speech in mosque

SUBANG member of parliament R. Sivarasa yesterday apologised to the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah for going against His Highness’ order barring politicians from delivering speeches in mosques.

The PKR leader sent a private letter to the sultan on Monday, explaining what had happened at the An-Nur Mosque in Kampung Melayu Subang, and issued the apology.

This came 12 days after Sivarasa delivered his speech inside the mosque’s prayer hall, and three days after Sultan Sharafuddin reprimanded him for his action.

“On June 5, I delivered a private letter for DYMM Tuanku Sultan Selangor to explain what had actually happened during the ceremony to present contributions at An-Nur Mosque, Kampung Melayu Subang on May 24.

“In the letter, I explained to Sultan Sharafuddin that my short speech (during the event) was not a ceramah or a political speech.

“However, after having analysed Sultan Sharafuddin’s decree on Friday at An-Nur Mosque in

Temasya Glenmarie, where His Highness had made clear his order and reminder that no politician, be it Muslim or non-Muslim, is allowed to give any speech or ceramah inside a mosque or in its compound, it was clear that I had violated this order with my short speech.

“And thus, in my letter, I apologised to Sultan Sharafuddin for my mistake,” Sivarasa said in a statement yesterday.

Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azmin Ali said he had delivered Sivarasa’s letter to the Selangor Palace on Monday, but was not privy to its contents.

Azmin said he had spoken to Sivarasa over the issue, and the latter had accepted the fact that he was at fault.

“Thus, he (Sivarasa) realised the need for him to write the letter, and he did,” said Azmin.

It was reported that Sultan Sharafuddin had in his decree on Friday said Sivarasa had “crossed the line”.

“Every speaker or lecturer from outside must be referred to Jais (Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor) to ensure that they are really qualified as well as practise the teachings that are in line with Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaah.

“I am very upset with the recent incident at Masjid An-Nur in Kampung Melayu Subang, where Subang MP Sivarasa had given a speech in the prayer hall, despite my repeated reminders against turning mosques into a place for politics, be it by a Muslim or a non-Muslim.

“I don’t allow politicians to deliver ceramah or give speeches in mosques because I don’t want the holy place to be a cause of disunity among Muslims.

“However, it seemed that my reminders went unheeded, and I want to stress this — Subang MP Sivarasa, you have crossed the line!” the Sultan said.

The sultan also told mosque officials who want to bring politics into the house of worship to resign.

His Highness had made clear his order and reminder that no politician, be it Muslim or nonMuslim, is allowed to give any speech or ceramah inside a mosque or in its compound.

R. SIVARASA

Subang MP