BUKIT MERTAJAM, June 24 (Bernama) -- Penang Umno wants the State Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP) to investigate claims that a khatib (sermon reader) had prayed for the federal government to be toppled in the coming general election while giving a sermon at the Saidina Abu Bakar as-Siddiq Mosque in Taman Guar Perahu, near here, last Friday.

State Umno liaison deputy chairman, Datuk Musa Sheikh Fadzir said the khatib's action could create disunity among Muslims while his action could be also be considered seditious.

He said the duty of a khatib was to give religious advice and not mix politics with religion, especially in a house of worship; in this case, a mosque.

"If he (the khatib) wanted to deliver a political ceramah (talk), he should have done it outside...not in a mosque. His action shows there was a political agenda.

"Therefore, I urge MAINPP to investigate as this is the kind of khatib who could divide the Malay Muslims, and MAINPP must be fair and firm in this matter.

Is the council going to allow the khatib to use the mosque for politics?" he said.

Musa was met at the Buki Mertajam division Juara Rakyat programme held at the Cherok Tokun public field, here, today. Also present was Bukit Mertajam Barisan Nasional (BN) division chairman, Lau Chiek Tuan.

He was earlier asked to comment on an electronic media report last night exposing the disappointment of some members of the mosque congregation over a khatib who in the doa said the government should be toppled, during the Friday sermon at the mosque in the Permatang Pauh constituency.

One of them, Abu Bakar Mohktar, was reported to have said that he and some members of the congregation were shocked to hear what the invited khatib had said and regretted that his doa had replaced the doa for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Meanwhile, Musa said the opposition should not be teaching young people to hold street demonstrations as provocation to bring down the government.

"Demonstrations are not our way. Hence, I urge if Pakatan Rakyat wants to contest (in the elections), do it the clean way. But if you are afraid to lose, then don't contest," he said.