Perak MB tells accuser to prove allegations over special officer’s mosque speech

Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad speaking to reporters at the closing ceremony of Perak Innovation Convention at the Stadium Indera Mulia in Ipoh, Perak. — Picture by John Bunyan 

By John Bunyan

First Published: Wednesday, 07 Oct 2026 6:11 PM MYT

IPOH, Oct 7 — Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad today said that he was unsure of the veracity of an allegation that his special officer had delivered an official speech at a mosque in Kerian, stressing that the accuser must prove the claim.

Saarani said the Sultan of Perak’s decree must be obeyed and that even he, despite being the chairman of state religious affairs, would not dare to deliver a speech at any mosque.

“I am not sure about the authenticity of the activity. But if it happened, he cannot do so. To me, it is very simple — His Royal Highness’s decree must be obeyed.

“However the person making the allegation must prove it. We cannot simply make such a reckless accusation,” he told reporters after attending the closing ceremony of Perak Innovation Convention at the Stadium Indera Mulia here.

Saarani was responding to allegations that had gone viral claiming that his special officer had delivered an official speech at a programme held at a mosque in Kerian, which was alleged to have contravened the Sultan of Perak’s decree.

The allegations were made by Perak PAS Youth Strategy Director Nurhafizul Badrul Hisham via his Facebook posting, who raised questions about compliance with the Perak Sultan’s decree barring politicians from delivering speeches at mosques and surau.

Nurhafizul said the matter should be taken seriously as the ban had also been enforced through an official circular issued by the Perak Islamic Religious Department (JAIPk).

Asked about calls for an investigation and for the officer to be suspended if the allegation was proven true, Saarani said the matter also involved the chairman of the mosque committee.

“It is like this. It also involves the chairman of the mosque committee itself. Any activity that is to be held must be known to and approved by the chairman of the mosque committee.

“There have been several cases before, including one in Kuala Kangsar recently, where the matter was brought to the Islamic Religious Council for investigation, and the chairman of the mosque committee concerned was called in,” he said.

“So, if it is true the incident did happened, then we will ask the special officer concerned to apologise,” he added.