SEREMBAN: Politicians have been banned from delivering sermons in mosques and surau in Negri Sembilan to prevent a split among Muslims, says Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.
He said politicians had no reason to do so at places of worship as they could always do so elsewhere.
The Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar said the ban had been in force since 2018.
"We have stopped this practice for some time now as we do not want places of worship to be turned into a political arena.
"We need to respect such institutions," he told reporters after chairing the state exco meeting at Wisma Negri.
Aminuddin was asked to comment on recent directives by Islamic affairs bodies in Perak, Selangor and Terengganu prohibiting politicians from giving ceramah at their mosques and surau.
The Perak Islamic Affairs Department said individuals who held office in any political party and individuals who were candidates running in a general election and by-election were prohibited from doing so.
The Terengganu Islamic and Malays Customs Council said the ban was enforced after obtaining the assent of state Ruler Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, who had expressed disappointment with politicians for giving lectures, speeches and religious lessons at mosques without the council’s approval.
Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj had also on March 3 instructed the state Islamic Religious Council chairman and the Selangor Islamic Religious Department to prohibit political leaders from using mosques and surau to deliver party speeches.
The Ruler said places of worship should not be used as platforms for propaganda by political parties, as it destroys the fellowship between Muslims.
Aminuddin said politicians were, however, allowed to lead prayers in Negri Sembilan.
"It is alright if a politician is only asked to lead prayers or to be the imam.
"Only political talks are not allowed," he said.
He said to ensure the ruling was strictly followed, the religious authorities had to make sure that those appointed as mosque chairman, or committee members knew how to implement it.
"That is why the appointments of certain individuals had to be rescinded so that we can strictly enforce the ruling," he said.
On a separate matter, Aminuddin, who is also state Pakatan Harapan chairman, said talks on seat distribution with Barisan Nasional for the coming state polls would begin in the next few days.
Pakatan currently controls 20 seats in the state legislative assembly while Barisan has 16.
