PAS Padang Serai commissioner Shaharuddin Ibrahim apologised to DAP and the Penang government for claiming mosques will be barred from broadcasting the azan (call to prayer) if DAP rules the country.

"I don't want to argue and prolong this issue, so I humbly apologise to those offended by the statement, especially DAP," he was quoted as saying by Sinar Harian.

Shaharuddin (photo) during a tazkirah (religious discussion) two weeks ago said: "If DAP rules the country...just look at Penang, gentlemen, the azan is no longer allowed. The azan is not allowed, gentlemen."

("Kalau DAP menguasai negara... nuu Pulau Pinang tuan-tuan, bang (azan) dah tak boleh dah, bang (azan) tak boleh dah tuan-tuan.")

This prompted Penang executive councillor Abdul Malik Abul Kassim to demand a retraction, saying that it was slander.

Explaning himself, Shaharuddin said his statement was only to raise concern over DAP and its allies' stance on amendments to Act 355 to expand the syariah courts' jurisdiction, and pave the way for the hudud.

"I hope their objections will not lead to mosques banned to broadcast the azan.

"This is because the azan and prayer is part of syariah and cannot be stopped by anyone in this country," he said.

The discussion over hudud was revived when the government tabled a motion on May 26 to prioritise the tabling of a Private Member's Bill to amend Act 355, ahead of government business at the Dewan Rakyat.

The Bill was submitted by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.

Hadi, however, sought for his Bill to be tabled in the next Dewan Rakyat session in October because it was already the last day of the second session.