The Malaysian Insight

PERAK Umno is guilty of breaching its own rule created during the previous Barisan Nasional administration by holding political events in mosques and surau in the state, said exco in charge of Islamic affairs Asmuni Awi.

Asmuni, who is state Amanah chief and Manjoi rep, also said the opposition party had failed to get approval from state religious administrative officers for their events.

He gave an example of an event in a mosque where Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki was present but they had failed to get approval from the state authorities.

“In the event, several Umno leaders, including Asyraf, took part. They needed to get approval and the person leading the mosque did not have proper state certification to do so. They only got approval from the mosque committee. That is not the way,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

“The rule to get approval was put in place during Umno’s rule in this state. This was about controlling what happens in mosques.

“It is not that they are not aware of such things but they continue to break the rule by conducting political events in mosques and surau,” he said. 

Yesterday, Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzudin Shah had summoned leaders of six political parties following complaints that political parties in the state were using mosques and surau for political purposes.

Leaders from Pakatan Harapan parties as well as those from Perak Umno and Perak PAS had attended the meeting with the ruler.

Sultan Nazrin had previously ordered that mosques and surau should not be used as political stages, but should instead remain as instruments to unite the ummah.

Perak Islamic Religious Department director Mohd Yusup Husin had also reminded political parties in April that the 2013 Regulations on Religious Teachings and Da’wah should be strictly adhered to by all parties.

However, in recent months there had been reports of events organised by Umno and PAS in these places of worship.

Asmuni said in recent days Wanita Umno had also run a programme at Masjid Kg Degong in Langkap.

“Apart from berbuka puasa, they even held their party meeting in the mosque. They had also place banners there.

“They should be conducting their programmes in other places. They can share venue at PAS centres or look for halls. Umno has the means to rent other venues, why use mosques?”

Asmuni told Umno not to divide the Muslims by conducting political programmes in places of worship.

He also said he would not have any issues if Umno followed the rule and seek approval first from the relevant authorities.

“I have no issues with the opposition state reps officiating functions in mosques but they need to follow proper procedures and not politicise the events,” he said.

He gave the example of his party Amanah which has not abused its position by using mosques for political purposes. – May 26, 2019.