Revival of loudspeaker issue for political gain concerns Penang Mufti

GEORGETOWN - All parties are advised not to get caught up in religious and racial sentiments as it could threaten the harmony of the multi-racial society in this country.

Penang Mufti Datuk Seri Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor said that as a multi-racial society in Malaysia, all parties must remember that public peace should be preserved and prioritised over gaining temporary political gains.

"This situation could have been avoided if all parties had adhered to the decision made by the Penang Fatwa Committee back in 2010, which clearly stated that loudspeakers outside of mosques and suraus should only be used for the azan and iqamah (the second call to prayer).

"I am concerned that certain individuals are deliberately reviving this issue for cheap political gain," he said when contacted today.

Wan Salim made these comments in response to a police report filed by a man who claimed that an unidentified person had requested a reduction in the volume of the azan at the mosque in Sungai Puyu, Butterworth, citing disturbance to the surrounding residents.

The Mufti expressed his hope for a swift and amicable resolution to the dispute, urging all parties involved to demonstrate mutual tolerance.

"I sincerely hope that this issue does not escalate further. I have been informed that the police have initiated an investigation into this matter, and I trust that they will conduct a thorough inquiry," he added.

Wan Salim also acknowledged that the incident occurred due to an oversight, with the mosque failing to turn off the loudspeaker during the morning prayer (subuh) and the lecture (kuliah).

Previously, a video of a dialogue session between the Joint Management Body (JMB) of a condominium in Tanjung Tokong and the residents went viral on social media, highlighting the ongoing dispute within the residential area.

Tensions escalated during the session when the JMB raised concerns about the use of loudspeakers in the condominium's surau.

The JMB had implemented a ban on the use of two large-sized loudspeakers outside the surau, stipulating that a smaller loudspeaker should be used solely inside the surau for the purpose of the azan.

This decision drew criticism from some residents who believed it disrupted the harmony of the diverse community.

However, the matter was eventually resolved when the JMB publicly apologised for their actions.