MAIS wants Chegu Bard to retract statement that Selangor palace is playing partisan politics

Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) founder Badrul Hisham Shaharin has been urged to withdraw his statement alleging that the Selangor palace is playing partisan politics.

Badrul Hisham or better known as Chegu Bard alleged this was evident by the use of a surau in Jalan Kebun, Klang, by PAS recently.

The allegation was made via an article entitled "Open Letter To Selangor Palace'' in his blog on Tuesday.

Selangor Islamic Council (MAIS) chairman Datuk Mohamad Adzib Mohd Isa said the article written by Badrul Hisham was unfounded since the surau was converted into a knowledge centre since March.

"The blog said PAS used the surau as a retreat for the party's election machinery. A check by MAIS found that the surau was closed after Masjid Al Falah, Jalan Kebun (near the surau) began operation on March 30.

"The function of the surau (building) has been changed to that of a knowledge centre with the consent of the Selangor Islamic Department. It is rented out to the public for programmes to cover the operating costs of the mosque," he said in a statement, here today.

Mohamad Adzib urged Badrul Hisham to remove his statement within 24 hours or face action by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) under the Defamation Act 1957.

He reminded political leaders to comply with the decree by the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah so that mosques become a politics free zone.

Yesterday, Kota Raja PAS in a statement denied the allegation and said the party's activity was conducted in Al Falah Knowledge Centre and not in a surau as reported.

On May 31, Subang Member of Parliament R. Sivarasa made a speech in the prayer hall of Masjid An Nur, Kampung Melayu Subang, thus causing dissatisfaction among various parties.

Sultan Sharafuddin then rebuked Sivarasa for making a speech in the mosque and told the PKR leader that he had ''crossed the line."

-BERNAMA