Muslim religious leaders who deliver anti-government sermons during Friday prayers in Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's home state have been warned that their actions will be caught on camera.

The state government in Kedah, where there is strong support for the opposition Parti Islam SeMalasia (PAS), will videotape Friday sermons in six mosques known to be spreading anti-government messages, the New Straits Times reported today.

Sermons in the remaining 540 mosques in the northern state, where "abuses" are believed to have happened sporadically, will be audio-taped, said Kedah Chief Minister Syed Razak Zain.

Imams found guilty of "abusing their positions and disseminating anti-government messages through their sermons" will be stripped of their posts, he said.

No aid

The move follows a recent announcement by the government that it would withhold financial aid to religious schools believed to be spreading anti-government sentiments.

Mahathir's government is accused by PAS of not being Islamic enough, and the opposition party campaigns for the creation of a theocratic state in this multi-religious Southeast Asian nation.

PAS is the only significant threat to Mahathir's United Malays National Organisation (Umno) and already rules two of Malaysia's 13 states Kelantan and Terengganu.

It has set its sights on taking control of another six states in general elections due before the end of 2004. AFP