DISCRIMINATORY practices could lead to suspicion and prejudice among followers of different religions, and they have no place in Johor, said the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.

The ruler was explaining why he had banned a Muslim-only launderette to graduates at a Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia convocation yesterday.

Sultan Ibrahim said the Muslim-only launderette represented an extreme way of Islamic life.

“Such narrow thinking is not the way of Muslims in Johor. 

“For example, all of us carry currency notes that change hands all the time. The same money could have been handled by pork butchers, alcohol sellers, and may have come into contact with a lot of filth.

“Will the government know come up with Muslim-friendly notes? Think for yourselves, ladies and gentlemen,” said the sultan in a video of his speech on his Facebook page.

“What about seats in public places that may have been licked by dogs, or pillows and blankets at hotels that may have came into contact with filth?

“This never ends. If everything is to be prohibited, we might as well live alone in the cave and not live in society,” he said to applause from the audience.

The ruler said it is his responsibility as the state’s religious head is to ensure peace and unity among the various races of different faiths in Johor. 

“Therefore, I will take immediate action against any (practices) that may lead to division,” he said.

At the convocation yesterday, the Johor ruler also told the Johor Islamic Religious Department to stop dealing with the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim). 

Controversial preacher Zamihan Mat Zin, who is a Prisons Department religious officer on secondment from Jakim, was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly criticising the Johore sultan.

He was released from the Dang Wangi police district office yesterday. – October 15, 2017.