SULTAN Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar today censured Johor Baru MP Akmal Nasir for participating in an interfaith breaking-of-fast event at a Sikh temple earlier this week.

The Johor ruler, in a statement on Facebook, said the Tuesday event was “insensitive” and has caused unease among Muslims.

“When a Muslim intentionally goes to a temple to break fast with non-Muslims, it creates space for non-Muslims to preach their religion to that Muslim.

“The implications are more serious when a Muslim political leader is the one present at the temple for such an event, as his action will be made an example, despite it causing unease among Muslims. It can lead to slander and confusion, resulting in tensions among the people, especially those with a weak knowledge of religion.”

He said Akmal never consulted the Johor Islamic Religious Department regarding the breaking-of-fast event and insisted that the programme go on as planned despite great resistance to it.

“Even though the event was opposed to by various quarters, he went on with it, citing tolerance and unity among the different faiths. However, as a leader, he should know the difference between political actions and religion. This shows his immaturity as a politician.

“To ensure harmony between the different races and religions, I have consistently and repeatedly declared that using Islam as political capital is not allowed. The sanctity of the religion must never be violated by politics.”

The sultan said Islamic principles, and its status as the state and country’s official religion cannot be sacrificed for the sake of cultivating mutual understanding between the different ethnicities.

“Islam does not accept the concepts of pluralism and liberalism in the religion, that is, viewing all faiths as equal for the purpose of developing tolerance between the races.”

Sultan Ibrahim said he and his family often attend celebrations at non-Muslim houses of worship, but “never brought Islamic practices to their premises, as done by the MP”.

“My family and I attend these events to demonstrate the need for us to live in harmony, in the spirit of ‘Muafakat Johor’. I also stress the importance of mutual respect, ‘muhibbah’ and love in a multiracial, multifaith society.

“Certainly, the Johor royalty will always look after the welfare of Johor folk based on these principles.”

He said the federal constitution guarantees the right of all Malaysians to practise their respective religions, but this freedom “must not cross the line when it comes to Islam and the culture that has been in place for generations”.

Such freedom is provided for in the Johor constitution, too, he said, but there are also enactments barring the proselytising of other religions to Muslims.

“I call on Johor religious authorities to immediately take the necessary measures to prevent actions and situations seen to be mocking or lowering Islam’s position as the official religion.” – June 1, 2019.