Elected Selangor reps can attend events at mosques, but not allowed to give talks, says exco member

SHAH ALAM: Elected representatives can attend welfare and social events at mosques and surau provided they do not address the congregation, says Selangor executive councillor for Islamic affairs Mohd Zawawi Mughni.

He added that the events must not be in areas where the congregation performs daily prayers.

Currently, anyone who wants to address the congregation in mosques and surau must request and receive accreditation from state religious agencies.

In winding up his debate on the motion of thanks for Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah's royal address during the opening of the state assembly sitting on Monday (March 13), Mohd Zawawi said this was to prevent any misunderstanding.

Mohd Zawawi (PH-Sungai Kandis) said even if mosque management committees invited elected representatives to say a few words at an event, they should decline the invitation to speak.

"It is best to decline as even if the elected representative just thanks the host, photos of him speaking at the mosque or surau can be wrongfully interpreted and used to defame him,'' said Mohd Zawawi on Thursday (March 16).

In his royal address at the opening the Sixth Session of the 14th Selangor Legislative Assembly sitting on Monday, the Selangor Ruler had issued a personal reminder to elected representatives in the state not to misuse mosques and surau.

The Ruler said mosques and surau must not be used to stir trouble amongst Muslims with different political ideologies.

Najwan Halimi (PH-Kota Anggerik) then told Mohd Zawawi that there should be clear guidelines as non-accredited preachers and elected representatives were lumped together in the same category.

"We understand that we cannot give sermons but what when elected representatives are asked to say a few words of acknowledgement?' asked Najwan.

Elizabeth Wong (PH-Bukit Lanjan) voiced the same concerns and asked for confirmation about the areas in mosques and surau that MPs and assemblymen are allowed to enter.

"Give us in black and white where we can go in and where we can't go so that everyone will know the limitations," said Wong.

Mohd Zawawi said he would look into the matter and that he did not want a repeat of an incident whereby Borhan Aman Shah (PH-Tanjong Sepat) had delivered a speech at a mosque last year and ended up being rebuked after a complaint was lodged against him.

Sallehudin Amiruddin (Ind-Kuang) told Mohd Zawawi that elected representatives should be excluded from the ban of speaking in mosques and surau without accreditation.

"We are not going to talk about politics but just community affairs... we know our boundaries,'' he added.

Mohd Zawawi reiterated that he did not want a repeat of what had happened to the Tanjong Sepat assemblyman and added that the congregation would know their Muslim elected representatives if they attend prayers there regularly.

Halimey Abu Bakar (PH-Seri Setia) said elected representatives clearly understood Sultan Sharafuddin's order that politicians must not use mosques and surau for political activities.

He said there were some mosque committees that do not let them enter nor invite them for events there.

"What's wrong in inviting us if we are not going to speak there as we know the restrictions?" asked Halimey.

Mohd Zawawi said the issue would be looked into and asked assemblymen to inform mosque committees to invite local leaders to their events to strengthen community ties.