Council of Churches Malaysia president Bishop Thomas Tsen has called on Himpun leaders to engage in a dialogue instead of playing "on emotions" by holding a mammoth anti-apostasy rally.

"This only plays on emotional sentiments. I do not encourage this and it is not helpful for a harmonious society.

"If they really want to help the situation, they should have a dialogue and everybody can sit down and talk in a clear mind. It would be a wiser approach," he told Malaysiakini when contacted yesterday.

He added that the Selangor sultan's recent statement was meant to calm the controversy over alleged proselytisation efforts targeting Muslims. The rally, thus, will inflame the situation further.

Echoing Tsen was the honorary secretary-general of the country's largest interfaith organisation, the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism's (MCCBCHST).

"The sultan has said there is no further action... The sultan has made a stand and (so) one million people gather to show what? To show Muslims are united and their akidah (faith) is strong? What would that do?" asked Prematilaka KD Serisena

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Political interference'

Citing the timing of the rally following the Selangor sultan's decree, Prematilaka was unconvinced that the rally is apolitical as claimed by its organisers.

"I believe there is some political intervention, which is why PAS has decided not to get involved.

"Anyone can say that they are apolitical, even (Perkasa chief) Ibrahim Ali says he is apolitical - but he is a politician, this is about religion," he said.

The rally took a confrontational stance against other faiths, which is "unnecessary", added Prematilaka.

"All we will do is to pray and we have faith that nothing untoward will happen. We call on everybody to pray that common sense will prevail."

Prematilaka said there is also proselytisation of Islam among non-Muslims, but other religions have not resorted to similar measures of holding such protests.

The Himpun rally, dubbed as Himpunan Sejuta Umat (Gathering of one million Muslims), will be held in a Shah Alam stadium on Saturday.

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