PUTRAJAYA: We must respect the decree of higher authorities in regard to both politics and religion, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (pic).
"We must watch our words when addressing the public to avoid upsetting the Rulers and the religious authorities of every state.
"The recent ban on political talks in mosques in Terengganu is due to unnecessary hard-line political rhetoric being constantly said when it should be instead a time of worship, not for politics.
"They claim to be religious leaders but instead all they talk about throughout their sermons is politics.
"Even I as the Prime Minister must strictly follow and respect the decrees of the Rulers and religious authorities in every state so they should too," he told reporters after giving his speech at the Finance Ministry's monthly meeting on Tuesday (March 7).
Anwar was responding to recent statements from PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang who said he would continue to give sermons in Terengganu despite a ban on politicians delivering lectures or sermons at mosques and surau in the state, on March 4.
Anwar was also addressing Hadi's statement on Monday (March 6), in which the latter claimed it was the Opposition's right to work towards the downfall of the Federal Government despite the current unity government having been endorsed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.