Use of Hadi's picture for Friday sermon slides in Malacca sparks controversy

Sermons delivered at mosques and surau across Malacca last Friday have sparked controversy after they used a picture of an opposition politician in slides prepared by the state Islamic Religious Department (Jaim).

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s picture was featured in the presentation with the caption - “The peace and progress of the country must be upheld, requiring just and honest leaders, a harmonious society, disciplined citizens, and people of noble character.”

A picture of the previous king, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, was also wrongly used in a separate slide instead of that of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.

The slides titled "Negaraku, Tanah Air Ku" (My Country, My Homeland) were shown during the sermon for Friday prayers and were in conjunction with Malaysia Day, which fell on Sept 16.

This blunder raised eyebrows on social media, with many asking how a government agency could fail to update such crucial information.

Some even accused Jaim of ignoring the prohibition on spreading political agendas in religious spaces.

Jaim withdraws infographics

Responding to the criticisms, Jaim director Badaruddin Mohd Kassim apologised for the error and withdrew the infographics.

He explained that the slides were prepared by Jaim’s Mosque Management Division on Sept 20.

“Jaim has withdrawn the infographics and we kindly request all mosques and surau chairpersons to remove, delete and refrain from circulating the infographics or any related documents.

“We deeply regret this incident and sincerely apologise for the oversight. We will ensure that such errors do not recur,” he said in a statement on Facebook on Friday.

Badaruddin added that the department would also investigate the matter for further action.

Work of ‘walaun’?

Despite the apology, one activist was not appeased.

Edy Noor Reduan voiced suspicions about the presence of a "hub of walaun" (a derogatory term for staunch PAS supporters) within Jaim.

In a TikTok video, the political activist, seen wearing a Pakatan Harapan T-shirt, called for firm action against those responsible.

“This is a serious matter and apologising alone is not enough. Someone needs to be punished,” he stressed.

Edy also challenged Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, who serves as an executive council member of the Malacca state government, to break his silence and issue a statement.

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