SUBANG MP R. Sivarasa is not getting any sympathy from social media users after receiving a rebuke from the Selangor sultan.

What he is receiving instead are loads of sarcasm and scolding for his “insolence” in ignoring a decree from Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, forbidding politicians without religious credentials from giving ceramah in surau and mosques.

Sivarasa of PKR was slammed last week for attending a ceremony to present aid at the An Nur Mosque in Kampung Melayu in his constituency. He was alleged to have given a political speech at the event, earning the wrath of the sultan.

He is now facing another controversy: A statement bearing his name is going viral on social media where he was alleged to have said that the rebuke from the sultan was too harsh and went against the freedom of speech.

Earlier today, Sivarasa denied making the statement on his Facebook page, but most social media users either did not believe him or felt he was out to court trouble from the start.

The Malaysian Insight has been trying to contact Sivarasa but the lawmaker has not answered calls or responded to text messages.

Social media user Zambri Adom asked if the MP was drunk while Ayi Ke commented: “There are all sorts of tactics and techniques these days to escape.”

Amy commented: “Ayoyoooo…The Sultan is angry. Only now you deny. What did you do yesterday? The Sultan is angry. Best to resign.” 

“Tq (thank you) for your clarification, I was about to buy some rotten eggs to pelt you for your insolence,” MohdHussin Abugau said.

In his next comment, MohdHussin Abugau posted on Facebook that he personally feels the MP should use more common sense in the future.

“... all this bad publicity is still publicity, and as a politician I congratulate you for your tenacity to use any publicity to make a political gain.

“But for God’s sake, think of the people and the effects your little games have on them, Sir. This is my humble request to you, Sir,” MohdHussin Abugau wrote.

Kenneth Wong also felt Sivarasa had “created unnecessary problems” and had thought the MP “was smarter than that”.

Another Facebook user, Tengku Mustapah Tengku Tahir, said Sivarasa should have just gone to the mosque and apologised outside. Simple and yet difficult to do, he said.

Rahimah Lasa wrote: “Next time be careful. Don’t do things that can cause anger. People can make mistakes okay.” 

Bob Hashim said even PAS president (Abdul Hadi Awang) was once told off by the sultan for politicking in the mosque, so Sivarasa also had to understand that a mosque was no places for politics.

Some Facebook users even used slurs in their comments. Roslan Ambri wrote: “Get lost. Making excuses after getting caught.” (Poodah. Dah tersepit mula la buat alasan.) The Tamil word “poodah” is not used in polite or formal conversations, and when addressing someone older. Unless used when addressing people one can take liberties with, the term can be very offensive.

Compared to the number of detractors, only a few were on Sivarasa’s side.

Azhar Ya said Sivarasa should just sue those people while Jamal Azrul condemned the person behind the alleged fake message.

He said: “The person who slandered (Sivarasa). Damn that person.” 

Nik Hamri also condemned those who created the fake statement. He said even in the month of Ramadan, there were those who would do evil and did not think about the afterlife. 

The reactions were similar, as social media users commented on news reports that Sultan Sharafuddin had found that Sivarasa had “crossed the line” and wanted the Selangor religious department (Jais) to investigate.

Utusan Online readers agreed with the sultan that Sivarasa must face the music.

“Sivarasa is a politician who takes advantage to politick wherever he can,” Yaacob Abghani commented.

He also hit out at the mosque committee in Kampung Melayu for giving the opposition MP the opportunity to talk inside the mosque, calling for Jais to take stern action against the committee by firing the members.

“If any of them are government servants, then take disciplinary action too for failing to carry out the sultan’s decree.

“A ‘kafir’ (infidel) had succeeded in breaking up the mosque qariah with the consent of ignorant Malays themselves. They would allow themselves to be used by a Hindu named Sivarasa,” Yaacob Abghani wrote.

Din Bai also said the person who allowed Sivarasa into the mosque should be called up for failing to respect the house of Allah.

Rosly Rosly also said the mosque committee should be blamed, not the MP, because they only wanted to take care of their pockets.

Sivarasa has denied doing anything wrong during his visit to the An Nur Mosque in Kampung Melayu on Wednesday and has maintained that he did not deliver any political speeches while he was there. – June 3, 2017.