Zamihan apologises to Sultan of Selangor

Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah Malaysia Organisation (Aswaja) president Dr Zamihan Mat Zin has apologised to the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, and accepted the withdrawal of his accreditation as a religious preacher yesterday.

Zamihan in his statement here today said as a commoner he respected the decision made by Sultan Sharafudin, who had the right as a ruler.

"Again, I apologise to the Sultan for any offensive remarks made during my religious talk. I had no intention of insulting the royal institution as I am only carrying out my responsibility of spreading the teachings of Islam," he said.

Yesterday, Sultan Sharafuddin had given consent for the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) to withdraw Zamihan's accreditation as a religious preacher and to cancel his membership in the state's Accreditation Committee.

However, Zamihan said he would continue to serve in a suitable manner and place, stressing that the fight for Islam would never end.

He also urged all quarters to stop pitting Muslims against each other and focus on resisting threats from anti-Muslims who liked to see Muslims fighting amongst themselves.

Zamihan, who is also a cadre officer of the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) was previously held under a two-day remand to assist in the investigation of his talk which allegedly contained racially laced remarks and insulted the royal institution.

He was investigated under Section 4 of the Sedition Act 1948, and was released on police bail last Saturday.

-- BERNAMA