Perak Mufti Harussani Zakaria has slammed opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim for calling for a review of the country's laws relating to homosexuality.

"Muslims must oppose same sex relationships be it between males or females. Do not disregard religion for the sake of winning (political) support," he said in a report in Malay daily Berita Harian today.

NONE Harussani ( left ) was reacting to Anwar's comments on BBC World news last Thursday in which he said Malaysians do not support homosexuality but punitive laws against them should be reviewed.

Anwar was responding to a question on whether he was willing to take the fight against discrimination as far as advocating for gay rights.

"We will have to review some of these archaic laws. Muslims and non-Muslims are generally committed to the sanctity of marriage between man and woman."

"But we should not be seen to be punitive and consider the archaic laws relevant. We need to review them (even though) we do not promote homosexuality in the public sphere or domain.

"To use this legislation to be punitive, to punish innocent people, cannot be tolerated," he said in his interview with BBC World .

However Harussani said Muslims cannot say nor do anything that would appear to support gay rights.

"Muslims cannot make statements that can be perceived to support same sex practices including homosexuality, lesbianism or sodomy as this would harm their faith," he was quoted as saying.

On Monday, the High Court declared Anwar not guilty of sodomy after a protracted case lasting for more than two years.

Anwar has claimed that the charge was politically motivated but the case has attracted attention from international gay rights groups.

- Bernama