Perak Menteri Besar Saarani Mohamad said he was unsure whether an allegation that his special officer had delivered an official speech at a mosque in Kerian was true, stressing that the accuser must prove the claim.
Saarani said the Sultan of Perak’s decree must be obeyed, adding that even he, as chairman of the state’s religious affairs committee, would not dare to deliver a speech at any mosque.
‘I am not sure about the authenticity of the activity. But if it happened, he cannot do so. To me, it is very simple – His Royal Highness’s decree must be obeyed,’ he told reporters after attending the closing ceremony of the Perak Innovation Convention at Stadium Indera Mulia.
‘However, the person making the allegation must prove it. We cannot simply make such a reckless accusation.’
Saarani was responding to allegations that went viral claiming his special officer had delivered an official speech at a programme held at a mosque in Kerian, allegedly contravening the Sultan of Perak’s decree.
PAS Youth raises questions over royal decree
The allegation was made by Perak PAS Youth Strategy director Nurhafizul Badrul Hisham in a Facebook post, in which he questioned whether the Sultan’s decree barring politicians from delivering speeches at mosques and surau had been complied with.
Nurhafizul said the matter should be taken seriously as the ban had also been enforced through an official circular issued by the Perak Islamic Religious Department (JAIPk).
Asked about calls for an investigation and for the officer to be suspended if the allegation was proven true, Saarani said the matter also involved the mosque committee chairman.
‘It is like this. It also involves the chairman of the mosque committee itself. Any activity that is to be held must be known to and approved by the chairman of the mosque committee,’ he said.
Officer may be asked to apologise
Saarani said there had been several similar cases previously, including one in Kuala Kangsar recently, where the matter was referred to the Islamic Religious Council for investigation.
He said the chairman of the mosque committee involved in that case was called in.
‘So, if it is true the incident did happen, then we will ask the special officer concerned to apologise,’ he said.
