Guan Eng challenges UMNO over 'khutbah lie'
Penang Chief Minister and DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng has challenged Penang UMNO's latest attack against him, in which it was alleged that several mosques had replaced the Agong's name with Lim's during the invocation at the end of the Friday khutbah (sermon).
Lim however told UMNO to lodge a police report and furnish evidences.
“If UMNO Pulau Pinang has evidence, please go ahead make a police report against the mosques," said an incensed Lim, adding that the state's Exco in charge of religious matters Malek Kassim had confirmed that the texts of the Friday sermons did not mention Lim.
State UMNO chairman cum defence minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had claimed that the use of Lim's name was detected a week ago at Friday sermons at mosques in Tasek Gelugor, Permatang Pauh and Jelutong.
“No police report had been made so far but there was sufficient evidence pertaining to the matter,” Zahid claimed.
Lim said it was "impossible" that the Imam would do such a thing, and said action would be taken if the allegations were true.
"If there was really an imam who said this, then there is a real agenda against us. We will find this person and sack him," he said.
Friday sermon is a two-part speech delivered by the Imam of the day. The first part touches on the main theme of the sermon, while the second part mainly consists of a prayer (du'a) for Allah's blessings. In Malaysia, depending on the state, it has been an official practice to use the occasion to invoke for God's blessings on the state Sultan, and in the case of Penang and Malacca, the Agong.
'Why these two constituencies?'
Lim said he was curious why the incidents involved only mosques in Kepala Batas and Tasek Gelugur, two parliamentary constituencies won by UMNO's Abdullah Badawi and Nor Mohamed Yakcop respectively in the last general election.
"This is an evil lie by UMNO to turn the people against us," said Lim.
Zahid had recently also questioned the Penang chief minister's presence at the distribution of Zakat funds because according to Zahid, a non-Muslim had no right to formalise such events.
Lim however clarified that he had attended the event as a state leader and did not take part in presenting the tithes, which was carried out by Permatang Pauh MP and Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim.
The contribution, in the form of allowances for mosques to conduct Ramadan activities, is the first such gesture by the Penang state government.
"(It) was never given under the previous Barisan Nasional’s administration," added Lim - Agencies.
Lim however told UMNO to lodge a police report and furnish evidences.
“If UMNO Pulau Pinang has evidence, please go ahead make a police report against the mosques," said an incensed Lim, adding that the state's Exco in charge of religious matters Malek Kassim had confirmed that the texts of the Friday sermons did not mention Lim.
State UMNO chairman cum defence minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had claimed that the use of Lim's name was detected a week ago at Friday sermons at mosques in Tasek Gelugor, Permatang Pauh and Jelutong.
“No police report had been made so far but there was sufficient evidence pertaining to the matter,” Zahid claimed.
Lim said it was "impossible" that the Imam would do such a thing, and said action would be taken if the allegations were true.
"If there was really an imam who said this, then there is a real agenda against us. We will find this person and sack him," he said.
Friday sermon is a two-part speech delivered by the Imam of the day. The first part touches on the main theme of the sermon, while the second part mainly consists of a prayer (du'a) for Allah's blessings. In Malaysia, depending on the state, it has been an official practice to use the occasion to invoke for God's blessings on the state Sultan, and in the case of Penang and Malacca, the Agong.
'Why these two constituencies?'
Lim said he was curious why the incidents involved only mosques in Kepala Batas and Tasek Gelugur, two parliamentary constituencies won by UMNO's Abdullah Badawi and Nor Mohamed Yakcop respectively in the last general election.
"This is an evil lie by UMNO to turn the people against us," said Lim.
Zahid had recently also questioned the Penang chief minister's presence at the distribution of Zakat funds because according to Zahid, a non-Muslim had no right to formalise such events.
Lim however clarified that he had attended the event as a state leader and did not take part in presenting the tithes, which was carried out by Permatang Pauh MP and Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim.
The contribution, in the form of allowances for mosques to conduct Ramadan activities, is the first such gesture by the Penang state government.
"(It) was never given under the previous Barisan Nasional’s administration," added Lim - Agencies.
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