Malaysian authorities are investigating a khatib, an individual who delivers the sermon during Friday prayers, over claims made in a recent sermon alleging that Malaysia has granted citizenship to 1.2 million Chinese nationals. This assertion was reportedly made at a mosque in Padang Serai, located in the Kulim district of Kedah.
According to a report by the New Straits Times, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail expressed his concern and disappointment over the matter. He confirmed that the police had received a complaint about the sermon, and the incident is now under investigation. The minister emphasized that such claims, if false, could damage the credibility and sanctity of religious institutions, which are intended to be places of worship and unity rather than platforms for spreading misinformation.
“I received a complaint yesterday regarding a sermon at a mosque in the Padang Serai parliamentary constituency,” Saifuddin stated. “The sermon allegedly discussed the issue of granting citizenship to Chinese nationals, with claims that the number now exceeds a million. This is highly regrettable, as it tarnishes the integrity of the mosque institution.” Saifuddin further stressed the importance of responsible messaging from religious leaders, as mosques are central to fostering faith, piety, and communal harmony.
The term “khatib” refers to the individual who gives the sermon before Friday prayers. While the khatib is often the imam who leads the congregational prayer, it can also be a different person designated for delivering the sermon. Saifuddin expressed regret that the khatib used this religious platform to share a claim that, if proven false, could lead to misunderstandings and potentially incite racial tensions.
Saifuddin assured the public that the authorities are actively monitoring the situation, with the Bukit Aman Special Task Force involved in the investigation. He stated that appropriate action would be taken if it is found that the mosque sermon was used as a platform to incite racial animosity or promote divisive narratives. “If the investigation shows that the mosque platform was used to promote divisive narratives, we will take appropriate action,” he added.
The minister also highlighted that the claim regarding mass citizenship granted to Chinese nationals has been consistently denied by previous home ministers. Both former Home Ministers Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin have refuted this allegation, emphasizing that it is baseless and misleading. Despite these official denials, Saifuddin noted that the rumor continues to circulate, causing concern about the spread of misinformation within the community.
In his remarks, Saifuddin reiterated the intended role of mosques as places of worship and sources of spiritual guidance that should foster unity and understanding among people. He voiced disappointment that some individuals might misuse these religious spaces to promote divisive narratives or propagate unverified information. “Mosques should serve to foster faith, unity, and piety, rather than to spread divisive messages,” he concluded, underscoring the need for mosque authorities and religious leaders to prioritize the wellbeing and cohesion of the community in their sermons.
This investigation highlights the importance of maintaining the integrity of places of worship and ensuring that they are not exploited for the dissemination of controversial or unverified information that could lead to societal discord. As authorities continue their inquiry, they hope to set a precedent for accountability in preserving peace and unity in Malaysia’s diverse society.
Source: Malay Mail
Seri Senking is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
The User Content (as defined on Newswav Terms of Use) above including the views expressed and media (pictures, videos, citations etc) were submitted & posted by the author. Newswav is solely an aggregation platform that hosts the User Content. If you have any questions about the content, copyright or other issues of the work, please contact Newswav.
