An imam of a mosque in Gelang Patah Johor, suspended from his duties by the Johor Islamic Affairs Department (JAIJ), claimed that the official reason for his suspension was a cover-up.

NONE When contacted by Malaysiakini , Hassan Md Said ( left ) was adamant that the real reason was his alleged involvement in the recent Bersih 2.0 electoral reform rally.

"They may say my suspension was because of sermons, but everyone in the village says that I was suspended because of my alleged participation in Bersih.

"After this, I will not be surprised if another excuse is used - such as I did not attend meetings," he sniped.

Sinar Harian today reported Johor Islamic Affairs Council (MAIJ) advisor Noh Gadut as saying that the suspension of an imam recently, was because he did not read out the prepared sermon texts during Friday prayers.

Without naming Hassan, Noh said that the imam had been asked "to withdraw, and had his religious credentials withdrawn".

‘Sermons text adapted, not ignored'

The former Johor mufti also reportedly said that MAIJ had advised the imam several times and had to resort to suspending him after their advice went unheeded.

Hassan, who is the chief imam of Ladang Mosque denied that he deviated from MAIJ and JAIJ approved sermon texts, adding that he only "adapted" the sermons to local issues specific to the village.

"Sometimes approved sermons are not timely and not suited to local conditions. My village is a fishermen's village. Their problem is about faith. Over here we have Muktazilah, Syiah, Wahabi. I have to touch on these issues in my sermons," he said.

He added that he had been ‘adapting' sermons for over ten years without any reprimand or action from religious authorities.

Hassan has received a letter from JAIJ director Elias Hasran informing him of his three-month suspension starting Aug 2 for ‘going against several orders' issued by Johor Baru religious officials.

Though the details remain unclear, Hassan, who claims to suffer from diabetes, believes his monthly allowance of RM750 would be frozen - leaving him without any income.

He said the letter did not state what exactly he did wrong, but he believes it is directly related to his detention, along with nearly 1,700 people, in relation to the Bersih 2.0 rally.

However, Hassan denied taking part in the rally, saying he was merely in Kuala Lumpur to visit relatives and tour the capital city.

The father of four said the suspension order has left his name in disrepute, with less and less students going to him to learn the Quran.