PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reprimanded a freelance Islamic preacher taking his remark out of context from a speech he made during the monthly assembly with the Prime Minister's Department staff in Putrajaya.
Without identifying the individual, he advised the person to listen to the full context of his speech, not jump the gun or avoid interpreting his statement in a political manner.
Anwar, who is also finance minister, said all parties should check the facts and understand the entirety of his speech before coming to their own conclusion and spreading the matter to the public.
"When the matter (his speech made during the monthly assembly) was asked to the ustaz from Terengganu, he proceeded to discuss and interpret it without listening (to the full speech).
"Based on the piece of remark, he went on and accused top leaders in the country of being 'jahil' (extreme ignorance) and confused.
"You should read and understand the context (of my speech in its entirety).
"Avoid from jumping to conclusions based on your political sentiments," he told reporters here today.
He said the freelance preacher should have also verified his speech, saying that he is "willing to be reprimanded" if he is in the wrong.
Earlier, Anwar and Selangor Menteri Besar Seri Amirudin Shari joined thousands of congregations to perform the Friday prayers at the Kota Damansara Mosque.
Prior to performing the Friday prayers, they spent about 30 minutes meeting the people and having lunch at the Nasi Ayam Warisan KD in Kota Damansara here.
Also present were Kota Damansara state assemblyman Muhammad Izuan Ahmad Kasim as well as former Selangor PKR vice-chairman and former Sungai Buloh member of parliament R. Sivarasa.