The DAP has lodged a police report against BN head and premier Najib Abdul Razak for his "slanderous allegations bordering on incitement" in relation to the party’s purported position on Islam.

Zairil Khir Johari (3) A team led by national publicity assistant secretary Zairil Khir Johari (left) lodged the report today at the Northeast Police Headquarters in Jalan Pattani, Penang, insisting that Najib’s remarks are not backed by proof.

Zairil, at a press conference afterwards, said the DAP has never questioned the position of Islam as enshrined in Article 3 of the federal constitution.

"The position of Islam is part of the DAP's constitution and is in the Shah Alam Declaration (made at) the party’s national convention on Jan 8 last year," he said.

"It is clear that the allegations are malicious, and are intended to incite racial and religious sentiments against Pakatan Rakyat, especially the DAP.”

NONE Zairil was referring to a Star report headlined ‘Najib: Vote Barisan for a far better future’.

It quoted Najib as saying: "A vote for PKR will destroy the aqidah, while a vote for PAS will only result in disunity among Muslims ... as for DAP, a vote for them will see Islam being oppressed.”

Najib said this in Kuala Terengganu when launching Janji DiTepati (Promises Fulfilled) programme in Terengganu over the weekend.

Development of Islam in Penang

Zairil said that, during its five-year tenure in Penang, the Pakatan administration has proven that it supports the development of Islam.

"Not only was there an increase in the allocation for Muslim affairs, but a RM80 million plot of land was given for a seven-storey Syariah Court to replace the old two-storey building," he said.

"Th azlan e state initiated the halal industry, acquired land to extend burial grounds for Muslims, increased by 80 percent the allowances of mosque staff, and recognised the keepers of the Quran (para huffaz) . For the first time, it provided annual allocations for religious schools or Sekolah Agama Rakyat.”

Zairil described Najib’s "false and slanderous" remarks as a crime and urged the police to immediately probe the DAP’s complaint to deter "threats" against the party and its leaders.

The DAP’s Bangkok Lane branch vice-chief Kevin Khoo,  Socialist Youth state deputy Youth chief Chris Lee, Bukit Bendera MP Liew Chin Tong's assistant Martin Lim and the division's representative Haris Zuan were in the group that went to the police station.