KUALA LUMPUR, June 2 — Subang MP R. Sivarasa was today personally criticised by the Sultan of Selangor for giving a speech at a state mosque last month.
According to Malaysiakini, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah specifically mentioned the PKR lawmaker when criticising politicians for giving speeches at state mosques despite the ruler’s decree forbidding such acts.
“I am saddened by the recent incident at Masjid An-Nur, Kampung Melayu Subang, where Sivarasa had given a speech in the prayer hall, despite my repeated reminders not to allocate mosques to be used for politics, be it by Muslims or non-Muslims,” he was quoted as saying by the news portal.
The Sultan explained that he prohibited politicians from making speeches in mosques as he did not want Muslims to be divided.
The ruler said politicians such as Sivarasa were free to deliver as many speeches as they want as long as they did not do so in mosques and prayer halls.
He said these speeches could even be made directly outside mosques.
“I have no objections, it is up to the people whether they want to listen or not, but never speak in the mosque or mosque compound,” he said later in the report.
Sivarasa was shown speaking at the mosque in Kampung Melayu Subang on May 24.
The Sultan subsequently directed Selangor religious authorities to take action against the mosque for defying his decree.
Sivarasa later denied delivering a political speech in the mosque, and said he spoke briefly when invited to do so by the organisers of the event.
