Following in the footsteps of Singapore, Johor has banned Malaysian religious preacher Ustaz Haslin Baharim, known as Ustaz Bollywood, and Zimbabwean Ismail Menk from preaching in the state.

Berita Harian Online quoted Johor religious committee chairperson Abd Mutalip Abd Rahim as saying that the ban was imposed following a decree by the Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar today.

The ban also came just a day after Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that the government had no intention of disallowing the duo from continuing to give talks in the country.

According to Mutalip, speeches delivered by the two preachers before this can disrupt harmony among the races.

"The Johor Islamic Religious Department will continue to monitor religious lectures in the state to ensure no elements that can cause a split among the races are given," he was quoted as saying.

On Monday, Singapore's Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) denied entry to the duo, who was scheduled to preach on a religious-themed, round-trip cruise from Singapore to Banda Aceh, Indonesia, between Nov 25 to 29, on board the 3,000-capacity Costa Victoria.

The decision, MHA said, was made following consultation with the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis), Singapore Tourism Board and Maritime, and Port Authority of Singapore.

It added that both Haslin and Ismail previously had their Miscellaneous Work Pass applications to preach in the country rejected, and would not be allowed to get around the ban by preaching on cruise ships operating to and from Singapore.

According to the ministry, Ismail had preached "segregationist and divisive teachings," such as saying that it is a crime and a sin for Muslims to wish non-Muslims Merry Christmas or Happy Deepavali, while Haslin is said to have described non-Muslims as deviant.

Muis had also said that the reason for rejecting the duo's application to preach was due to their teachings "running counter to values Singaporean Muslims uphold dearly that can contribute to a progressive and thriving religious life in Singapore".

Responding to a question on the ban yesterday, Zahid, who is also the home minister, said: "So far, these two religious speakers have not suggested anything that goes against our understanding of cultural and religious diversity to the point of causing social, racial and religious tensions in Malaysia.

"Thus far, Malaysia is satisfied with what they are doing and does not intend to take similar action (as Singapore’s), as they are not wrong in our eyes."