Sivarasa, you have crossed the line: Selangor Sultan

SHAH ALAM: The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has expressed profound disappointment in Subang MP R. Sivarasa for having given a speech at the prayer hall of An-Nur Mosque in Kampung Melayu Subang here recently.
Sultan Sharafuddin said he had reminded many times that the mosque should not be a place for politics whether by Muslims or non-Muslims.
"I will not allow politicians to speak or give talks at the mosque as I do not want it to be a source of conflicts among Muslims.
"Nonetheless, it appears my reminders have fallen on deaf ears and I want to tell Subang MP Sivarasa, you have crossed the line!" he said at a breaking of fast with the people and the official opening of An-Nur Temasya Glenmarie Mosque here last night.
Accompanying the Sultan were the Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin and the Raja Muda of Selangor Tengku Amir Shah.
Also present at the ceremony were Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) chairman Datuk Mohamad Adzib Mohd Isa, Selangor Mufti Datuk Mohd Tamyes Abdul Wahid, Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) director Datuk Haris Kasim and Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) chairman Tan Sri Wahid Omar.
Sultan Sharafuddin said he would not object if the MP from Parti Keadilan Rakyat wanted to speak outside the mosque area and it was up to the people whether they wanted to listen but never inside the mosque or in its compound.
"The mosque nazir (chairman), imam and committee members should be more sensitive and heed my words by not allowing the mosque to be a place for politics.
"I want the mosque and surau to be used as a place for prayers and for us to seek religious knowledge, as well as a place to strengthen the brotherhood among Muslims so as not to break into factions," he said.
The sultan reiterated that he had given authority to the mosque chairman, imam and committee members to look after the house of Allah and the sanctity of mosques.
"So, use this authority well. If there are among mosque chairman, imam or committee members who are active in politics in the mosque, I will ask them to quit from such posts and pass the responsibility to other people.
"I will not hesitate to order JAIS to terminate the services of any mosque chairman, imam or committee members who violate or did not comply with the regulations."
On the case of An-Nur Mosque in Kampung Melayu Subang, Sultan Sharafuddin said he wanted JAIS to investigate the matter and if there was evidence of any mosque committee members who violated the existing regulations, action would be taken against them after Ramadan.
Sivarasa had earlier denied giving a talk when attending a programme at the mosque and said he was merely giving a brief speech on the commitment of the Selangor Government to assist mosques and suraus in the state.
In this regard, the sultan urged Malays to think deeply on staying united to defend Islam and the position of the Malays in the country.
"Do not slander and pit against each other, especially when the general election will be held soon. The month of Ramadan is a suitable time for us to offer prayers and do good to seek the blessings of Allah," he said.
Sultan Sharafuddin also reminded the people in Selangor to be wary and sensitive to the emergence of social ills propagated by irresponsible parties in the state.
He said the dissemination of deviationist teachings and learnings diverting from the real teachings of Islam would confuse the people and could lead to unrest if they were not contained.
"I learn from the Selangor Mufti Department, there are 15 religious deviationist groups still active in Selangor which needs serious action by the Selangor Islamic Religious Council and JAIS.
"I want to stress that imams, mosque committee members as well as the people should be more responsible by reporting to the authorities if they find activities or teachings which are doubtful in their areas. Do not depend on JAIS alone to combat deviationist teachings.
"I want imams, mosque committee members as well as Islamic experts to continue educating the people, especially the younger generation on Islamic teachings, and preserve the teachings of Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaah adherents," he said.
This, according to Sultan Sharafuddin was to ensure Muslims in Selangor would not fall prey to extremist groups such as the Daesh group of militants. — Bernama