The Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, expressed his disappointment with Akmal for attending the event and failing to consult the state religious authority on this matter.

“As a leader, he should realise and understand the difference between religious and political actions. This shows his immaturity as a leader and a politician,” the Sultan said in a statement posted online.

Last week, Akmal had attended the “Majlis Iftar Muhibbah Bersama YB Akmal Nasrullah Nasir” at the Johor Baru Gurdwara Sahib temple, which is next to the mosque where Akmal had earlier performed prayers.

His attendance drew strong criticism on social media, but the PKR politician defended his decision to do so, saying it did not make him less of a Muslim or erode his faith.

Sultan Ibrahim said events at non-Muslim houses of worship presented an opportunity for non-Muslims to proselytise to Muslims, and this implication would be more serious when a Muslim politician attended an event such as “iftar”, which could set a precedent.

It could create unease among Muslims, cause confusion and strain ties within the community, especially among those without proper religious knowledge, the ruler said.

Sultan Ibrahim said Johor’s population comprised citizens of various religious, cultural and racial background, and some might find Akmal’s action unsuitable especially when it involves their house of worship.

Race relations in Johor, he added, had flourished centuries. “There is no need for a new non-syariah approach like the one done by the MP.”

Under the Constitution, the Sultan is the head of Islam in his state.