KUANTAN: Pahang religious authorities have rejected claims on social media that a Freemason event took place at a 'ladies night' at a hotel here on Saturday.
Pahang Islamic Religious Department (JAIP) director Datuk Mohamad Noor Abdul Rani said the conclusion was reached after JAIP officers met with the general manager and management of the Grand Darul Makmur Hotel.
The hotel is owned by the Pahang Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (Muip).
He said that the hotel management was not informed of the content of the programme.
"Our initial investigation found that the hall for the programme was booked by an NGO, Lodge Royal Pahang, for 101 participants.
"The hotel management was not informed of the content of the programme and would reject the booking if there were elements of Freemansory," he said.
He said the hotel management is also prepared to be investigated further and would give their full cooperation.
It is understood that the Pahang Contingent Police Headquarters' (IPK) Special Branch is probing the incident.
A picture showing a main stage with the words "Pahang Freemansory Ladies Night" in the background had circulated on social media, triggering fierce debate among netizens.
Some of them questioned the supposed willingness of the hotel to accept the booking given that Muip is the owner of the premises.