Respect ban on politicians giving talks at mosques, says PM

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today said that the ban on politicians giving lectures or political talks at mosques and surau must be respected by all parties.

He said the ban is applicable to all parties, himself included.

Anwar, who is also the finance minister, said he would avoid accepting invitations to give talks at mosques.

"In respecting the order (by the religious authorities), I avoid giving talks when I stop at a mosque for Friday prayers," he told reporters in Putrajaya.

The prime minister was responding to PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, who said on March 4 that there was nothing wrong with politicians delivering sermons or religious lectures at mosques and suraus, and that it was instead compulsory for them to do so.

Hadi’s comments were reported to be over the Terengganu Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council banning politicians from delivering religious lectures at mosques and suraus in the state.