Speech at mosque: Sivarasa seeks Sultan Selangor's forgiveness

Subang Member of Parliament, R Sivarasa today apologised to Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah for giving speech when attending a programme at the An-Nur Mosque in Kampung Melayu Subang near here on May 31.

The Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) MP said he had apologised to Sultan Sharafuddin through a letter dated June 5, to clarify what actually happened during an aid presentation ceremony at the mosque.

"In the letter I explained to the Sultan of Selangor that my short speech was not a lecture or political speech.

"However, I have examined Tuanku's speech at Masjid An Nur Temasya Glenmarie last Friday where Tuanku had explained his decree and reminder that Muslim or non-Muslim politicians are not allowed to give a lecture or speech inside a mosque or its compound.

"It is clear that I had disobeyed this decree with my short speech at the An-Nur Mosque in Kg Melayu Subang. Hence, in the letter I have apologised to Tuanku for my mistake," he said in a statement today.

SIVARASA-APOLOGISE 2 (LAST) KUALA KUMPUR

On May 31, Sivarasa was reported to have entered the mosque and attended the event on behalf of Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali before he proceeded to deliver a speech in the praying area.

Several pictures taken during the talk had also gone viral on social media, causing uneasiness and dissatisfaction among the public.

Sultan Sharafuddin then expressed anger and disappointment over Sivarasa''s action.

The Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) has called the ''nazir'' (guardian) of the mosque to explain the incident and the report has been submitted to the Sultan.

Meanwhile, in GEORGE TOWN, Penang Mufti Datuk Dr Wan Salim Mohd Noor said mosques should not be used a political plaftform as this could divide Muslims.

Wan Salim said a mosque is the place to unite Muslims and that using its for political purposes will tarnish its sanctity.

-- BERNAMA