KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 25 — Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah of Perak spoke out today against politicising religion for personal gain, calling it a “time bomb” that could lead to instability and disaster.

The Perak ruler said religion is sacred, but had become “tainted” by people with certain agendas who would champion or sensationalise their personal issues in its name, Malay daily Sinar Harian reported on its website.

“Religion is an ‘explosive’ time bomb with the potential to cause instability and disaster when used other than to instil the spirit of God, what more when politicised,” he was quoted saying in his speech at the Pusat Konvensyen Amanjaya in Ipoh, Perak.

He also spoke out against those who judged others’ faith, saying God was the only one capable of judging humans in the afterlife.

“The religious status of a person, whether they are bound for heaven or hell is decided by God,” the head of Islam in Perak was quoted saying.

“The task and responsibility of humans, especially those involved directly in managing and conducting religious matters, is to heed what is good, and prevent what is wrong.”

Sultan Nazrin also reportedly urged the state Islamic clerics and other officials managing Islamic affairs to conduct their duties while being respectful to others.

“The realities of the present time and the realities of a locality must be understood. Justice must be carried out, and the dignity of other people must be respected,” he was quoted saying.

The politicising of Islam in the country has often been cited as cause for issues of division and extremism, most recently by the London-based weekly publication The Economist.