MP denies making political speech in mosque

PETALING JAYA: Subang MP R. Sivarasa has denied making a political speech at an event in a mosque last Wednesday, that sparked controversy with the Selangor religious body and the palace.

In clarifying the matter, the PKR lawmaker said his presence at Surau an-Nur in Kampung Melayu Subang was to hand out a contribution of RM71,000, that was to be distributed to other surau and mosques.

Sivarasa said he had made a brief speech on Ramadan and also spoke of his commitment to the state government.

“I did not give a ceramah. This is a misunderstanding,” he said.

“There was no political or religious talk during the event.”

The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, had expressed disappointment with Sivarasa for allegedly bringing disrepute to the mosque.

Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) director Datuk Haris Kasim said the mosque administrator was called last Friday to explain the incident and to submit a report to the Sultan.

On whether he had contacted JAIS to clarify the matter, Sivarasa said: “No, because JAIS has not contacted me.”

Haris said politicians were forbidden to make speeches in the prayer hall of a mosque, based on a decree by Sultan Sharafuddin.

“It does not matter whether the speech was political or not,” he said.

Asked whether JAIS could take any action against Sivarasa, Haris said the religious authority has no power to do so.

Meanwhile in PUTRAJAYA, Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Tan Sri Noh Omar said politicians should refrain from campaigning at any house of worship.

He reminded all politicians to be “sensible” and choose a right platform to champion their political struggles.