IPOH: Perak Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) today claimed that it has identified at least four programmes at mosques and surau in the state bearing the logos of opposition parties.
Amanah youth chief Hasnul Zulkarnain Abd Munaim said action would be taken against the related parties who clearly disrespected religious institutions under Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah and challenged the credibility of the Perak Islamic Religious Department (JAIPk) in enforcing the existing rules.
Hasnul Zulkarnain said mosques and surau must steer clear of partisan politics as such activities violated the order of Sultan Nazrin who is head of the religion in the state.
He added that when Sultan Nazrin was the Raja Muda, he had delivered a message urging mosques and surau to steer clear of partisan politics and narrow teachings of certain groups as the venues should serve to strengthen the ummah.
“This matter was also stressed by JAIPk director Datuk Mohd Yusup Husin last month, who urged everyone to adhere to the Rules of Supervision of Religious Teaching and Da’wah 2013,” he said in a statement today.
Hasnul, who is also a state executive councillor, said one of the programmes was organised by Wanita Umno and Pas Lumut at Masjid Terapung Kampung Telaga Nenas, Ayer Nawar, and another at Masjid Al-Khaririah Kampung Banjar, Teluk Intan, was organised by Umno Youth.
He also identified programmes conducted in surau Klebang Prima here, which carried a banner with the Umno and Pas party logos and Surau Al-Ittihad in Kampung Temiang here, which had invited Pas leaders to the programme.
“What made it worse is that the mosque committee members acknowledged the programme but no further actions were taken to stop it.
“We urge those who are responsible for this, especially JAIPk, to act professionally and continue to monitor activities in the mosque and surau in line with Sultan Nazrin’s message which prohibits mosques and surau from being used as a political platform,” he said.
Hasnul, who is also Perak Pakatan Harapan (PH) Youth chief, urged all parties, especially Umno and Pas, to carry out their political programmes at other premises in future.
“We hope all mosques and surau committee members can act sternly in this matter.
“Although some of them may be supporting these political parties, our priority is to preserve the sanctity of the mosques and surau,” he said.