PAS will not bar a non-Muslim from becoming prime minister, for having a Muslim as premier does not even arise in the federal constitution, the party says.

NONE "The constitution does not bar a non-Muslim from becoming PM, so it's not even an issue of whether PAS will stop it or not," vice-president Mahfuz Omar ( right ) told a press conference at the party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur this morning.

However, he said, the provisions of the constitution would remain academic because of the racial and religious make-up of the country.

"(Having a non-Muslim PM) will not happen not because of the constitution, but because the Malay-majority seats form the majority in Parliament," he explained.

The issue of a non-Muslim PM was raised by Umno-owned daily Utusan Malaysia in a front-page report last Saturday, which also said the DAP was working in cahoots with Christian groups to turn Malaysia into an Christian state.

The paper quoted a pro-Umno blog about a secret pact and agenda to make Christianity the official religion of the country. The blog credited no source in its original posting.

utusan malaysia, malaysia negara kristian Utusan also reported that a meeting between Christian pastors and DAP in Penang saw them working to install a Christian prime minister.

While Malay rights groups and Muslim NGOs have been up in arms, lodging police reports in the process, other constitutional experts as well as federal cabinet minister Bernard Dompok have said the constitution does not stipulate the religious affiliation of the prime minister.

'Hishammuddin has to say sorry'

Mahfuz also took Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein to task over his remarks following the Utusan report, claiming that it had made Christian-Muslim relations in the country even more tense.

"It was a completely inappropriate response," said Mahfuz.

Almost immediately after the news report was published last Saturday, Hishammuddin had warned against such move, without even checking on the veracity of the report.

"Similarly with racial issues. If a particular race were to carry an issue too vigorously, it will provoke reactions from other races," Hishammuddin told reporters in Kuala Terengganu last Saturday, without naming anyone in his comments.

NONE Mahfuz said Hishammuddin ( right ) should also reprimand Utusan for its reports, and he should show that the government is serious about issues that could threaten racial and religious harmony.

"It is no longer about the freedom of the press, but this report is clearly aimed at inciting tension," said Mahfuz, adding that almost everyone named in the media report have come out to deny Utusan 's version of the event.

Mahfuz challenged Hishammuddin - also an Umno vice-president - to a debate if he fails to issue an apology.

"I'm not issuing this challenge because I am arrogant, but this is one way to put Umno in its place and to shut their mulut celupar (big mouths)," said Mahfuz.

Calling this 'Umno's brand of politics', Mahfuz described the reports by Utusan as a "cheap and dangerous way of getting votes".

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Must they resort to this every time?