GEORGE TOWN, March 9 — The Penang Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP) today strongly refuted allegations by an independent preacher, Zainul Asri Mohd Romli, that a mosque in the state has now been turned into a place of worship for non-Muslims.

MAINPP chairman, Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman, described the allegations as baseless and seen as creating misunderstandings between races and religions in the state.

He said that MAINPP had recently received a TikTok video clip featuring Zainul Asri delivering his lecture on Feb 14, when the misleading statement was issued.

"His (Zainul Asri) statement was: there is a mosque in Penang which has been turned into a temple. It used to belong to the Indian Muslim community. I don’t even know what happened; today it has become a place of worship for non-Muslims,”

"MAINPP strongly denies the wild accusation. As a matter of fact, referring to the Interim Register of the said lot, there were 20 original trustees for Kong Hock Keong Temple through the Court Order (Assignment of a Right) Volume 2, Fol. 61 on Dec 8, 1973,” he said in a statement today.

Ahmad Zakiyuddin, who is also Deputy Chief Minister 1, said that there was a change of trustees due to death, and that Lot 523 was derived from Lot 71 (2) TS. 19, Northeast district, and the land has grade one status.

"Originally, (referring to Deed Poll dated July 10, 1888), this land was owned by the trustees for Kong Hock Keong Temple, No. 30 Pitt Street, through Grant No. 2420 (1838), which is a grant from the Public Seal of the Colony, by the Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Straits Settlements, Cecil C. Smith,” he said.

Hence, he said that MAINPP refuted the baseless allegations, and demanded an open apology from Zainul Asri to clarify the negative perception that has started to spread among Muslims in Penang. — Bernama