JOHOR Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim today trained his guns at a minister for allegedly giving a political speech at a mosque before Friday prayers, saying that the state’s tradition of not bringing politics into houses of worship must be upheld. 

Tunku Ismail said on his social media accounts that religious authorities should take action against politicians who use places of worship, such as mosques, to deliver political talks. 

“There has never been a political ceramah given in any mosque in Johor. Please respect Johor’s traditions,” said the prince, who is popularly known by the Malay acronym of his title, TMJ.

Tunku Ismail was responding to calls on social media for him to act against Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Salahuddin Ayub for allegedly giving a political speech before Friday prayers at the Kolam Air Mosque in Johor Baru.

Salahuddin is Pulai MP, and the mosque is in his constituency.

The matter was brought to Tunku Ismail’s attention after a Twitter user under  the handle Captain Tsubasa  tweeted him a video  of the incident.

That post drew further calls for action.

A Twitter user named Aiman Rahmad who was there went the incident took place claimed that the minister was only giving out a lecture (tazkirah).

“I was there, I heard him delivering a lecture.”

A tazkirah or lecture is commonly given by guest religious scholars at a mosque before prayers. 

Johor Youth council president Md Saleeheen Mohamad said in a statement that such incidents could spark concerns of possible disruption of peace among the people and taints the sanctity of Islam.

He said it was distasteful of the minister to use a sacred place for political gain.

“Such actions taint Islam’s sanctity as a religion that unites people. It does not set a good example to the younger generation”

Drawing attention to the portfolio held by Salahuddin, he said the minister’s focus should be on improving the people’s economic welfare.

The council called on religious authorities such as the state Islamic department and Johor Islamic council to act on the matter. 

He hopes politicians will not use places of worship for political purposes.

Johor Islamic Affairs and Education Committee chairman Aminolhuda Hassan has not responded to The Malaysian Insight’s request for comment. 

Aminolhuda is also chairman for the Johor chapter of Amanah, which is Salahuddin’s party. – February 16, 2019.