An imam with a mosque in Johor has decided to “sever ties” with the state religious department (JAJ) following his suspension, he believes, over his detention by the police on July 9.

NONE Hassan Md Said (left) , the imam with Masjid Ladang in Gelang Patah, said he was deeply disappointed with the three-month suspension slapped on him by the JAJ, which he described as unprofessional and unethical.

“I will preach in other ways. I am very disappointed that they have done this to me. I have served as imam for 14 years but it is as if I am not appreciated. This religious department is totally unprofessional,” he said.

Hassan, 40, said he received a letter from JAJ director Elias Hasran informing him of his three-month suspension starting Aug 2 for “going against several orders” issued by Johor Baru religious officials.

Though the details remain unclear, Hassan, who claims to suffer from diabetes, believes his monthly allowance of RM750 would be frozen – leaving him without any income.

He said the letter did not state what exactly he did wrong, but he believes it is directly related to his detention, along with nearly 1,700 people, in relation to the Bersih 2.0 rally.

However, Hassan denied taking part in the rally, saying he was merely in Kuala Lumpur to visit relatives and tour the capital city.

The father of four said the suspension order has left his name in disrepute, with less and less students going to him to learn the Quran.

Hassan said his family was now facing a financial “deficit”, made worse by the rising inflation.

“Our family is rather poor. We don’t even have a house... we rent (a house) near the mosque... It’s going to be hard, we won’t be able to afford the rent,” he said.

Efforts by Malaysiakini to contact the JAJ director were not successful as at press time.