Sivarasa denies giving political ceramah at mosque

Parti Keadilan Rakyat's (PKR) Member of Parliament for Subang R.Sivarasa has clarified that he only made a brief speech on the commitment of the Selangor government to assist mosques and surau in the state when attending a programme at the An-Nur Mosque in Kampung Melayu Subang near here on Wednesday.

He denied that he had given a political "ceramah" (talk) at the function.

"There was no political or religious ceramah during the aid presentation ceremony," he said in a statement via Whatsapp.

He said his presence there was to hand over a contribution of RM71,000 to be distributed to mosques and surau in his constituency.

Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali was reported as saying that he had had an audience with Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah of Selangor on the action by Sivarasa, who is alleged to have gone overboard by giving a political ceramah at the mosque.

Mohamed Azmin also explained that Sivarasa was not representing him and that the event was organised by his (Sivarasa's ) parliamentary service centre.

Yesterday, Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) director Datuk Haris Kasim was reported as saying that the Sultan was angry over the action by the MP as he had clearly issued directives that mosques should not be used for political purposes.

Haris said the Sultan had spoken directly to him about the matter and wanted to department to take action against the mosque's management committee and the organisers of the event.

--BERNAMA