In a brief statement, the Subang MP said he took note of Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah’s speech at a function earlier this month where the Selangor Sultan issued the reminder about Muslim and non-Muslim politicians alike making speeches in mosques.

“It is clear that I have disobeyed his order by giving a short speech in the mosque. For that I apologise to the Sultan for my mistake.”

Sivarasa’s apology comes days after Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah criticised him for giving a speech in a mosque, adding that the former had “crossed the line”.

The sultan had said he was saddened by the recent incident at Masjid An-Nur Kampung Melayu, Subang, where Sivarasa had given a speech in the prayer hall, despite the ruler’s repeated reminders not to allow mosques to be used for politics.

The ruler said he did not allow politicians to speak in mosques as he did not want it to be the cause of Muslim disunity.

“However, my advice was apparently ignored,” he was quoted as saying during a breaking of fast event on June 2.

In his statement today, Sivarasa, who is Subang MP, again reiterated that the speech he gave was neither a ceramah nor a political speech.

He had previously explained that he only delivered Ramadan greetings to the congregation and joined PKR’s coordinator for Kota Damansara, Radzlan Jalaludin in handing over contributions valued at RM71,000 to the mosque.

Sivarasa’s visit last month however, generated controversy with Umno leaders calling for stern action to be taken against the PKR politician.

On May 31, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah was reported to have been upset and disappointed with Sivarasa for allegedly giving a political speech at the An Nur Mosque.