National laureate A Samad Said has abandoned the National Mosque for Friday prayers after being peeved by what he said are pro-government sermons.

Instead, the famed author, better known as Pak Samad, said he now goes to Masjid India, two kilometres away, which conducts its sermons in Tamil, even though he does not understand the language.

"I dislike the sermons there (National Mosque) so I go to Masjid India.  He (the imam) may speak in Tamil, but I like listening to his sermons, nonetheless.

"It may be incomprehensible (to me), but it’s pleasant, isn't it? If it is in Malay language and you can understand (the pro-government sermon), then it’s peeving,” he said at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

Pak Samad now attends the sermons in Masjid India, having abandoned the National Mosque four months ago.

Despite not knowing the Tamil language used in its sermons, Pak Samad sees many Malays performing their prayers in that mosque.

He also has made some friends there.

No other laureate supports Anwar

Meanwhile, Pak Samad opines that it would not be impossible for large rallies to be organised should opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim be convicted in the Sodomy II appeal.

“If you look at the public demonstrations (in front of the Putrajaya court), it is obvious that there is dissent.

“It would not be impossible to expect a massive outcry across the nation should he be convicted,” he said.

Pak Samad further said that he has constantly attended the court rallies showing support for Anwar.

“I am there to show my support to Anwar. As a national laureate, I believe he deserves my support.

“There are no other laureates (who are supportive). So I give him my utmost support,” he added.

Meanwhile, the non-governmental organisation Teoh Beng Hock Trust for Democracy (TBHTFD) will be organising a dinner to raise funds.

The charity event will be held on Dec 5 (Friday), 7pm at Dewan Mutiara, Mutiara Complex, Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur.

Pak Samad, who is also the president for the NGO, said the charity aims to help individuals in detention centres as well as those who died while in police custody.

He said the funds will be used to organise programmes to spread public awareness on human rights and democracy.

Pak Samad added that his foundation will send letters to all MPs and state assemblypersons to push for the cause.

He hopes to raise RM500,000 from the evening gathering.

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