Preacher quizzed over Bunian claim, report to be sent to mufti
Datuk Abd Ghani Zainudin, director of the Kedah Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JHEAIK), said the department will submit its investigation report to the Kedah Mufti Department for further action.
Abd Ghani said that the preacher had made the statement during an event held on Nov 11, 2023.
The preacher was hauled up for questioning on Sunday at the department's office, he said.
Abd Ghani said: "His statement was recorded and the investigation report has been completed."
The saga began after a 1-minute-31-second video went viral, showing the preacher claiming that the late Tuan Guru Sheikh Abdul Hamid Ismail had performed Friday prayers in the company of bunian
This is not the first time the preacher has courted controversy.
Last year, he was reminded by JHEAIK to refrain from behaviour that could mislead the public, following the circulation of a video showing students excessively praising him at an event where Arabic verses were recited in his admiration.
Meanwhile, Kedah Umno information chief Datuk Shaiful Hazizy Zainol Abidin urged the religious authorities to act decisively, describing the preacher's remarks as deeply troubling.
"This is the second time the same individual has been embroiled in a controversy touching on Islamic creed (akidah) and religious sensibility. Such incidents tarnish the sanctity of Islam and create unrest within the community," he said in a statement today.
Shaiful also urged JHEAIK to strengthen its checks and monitoring of all accredited religious speakers in the state.
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