Legal action is pending against the operator of an entertainment outlet in Penang who had displayed a banner outside the premises last month to promote alcohol, placed against a backdrop of a photo of a mosque and the Jalur Gemilang.

State exco member in charge of Islamic affairs Abdul Malik Kassim said the operator will be charged under the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) Act 2000, which provides for a maximum fine of RM2,000.

"We have directed the MPPP to take action as a lesson to everyone to not simply touch on the sensitivities of the Muslim community," he said in a statement.

"We are also looking at other regulations and laws to see if we can take sterner action against (this operator) and others who have acted in a similar manner.”

NONE Abdul Malik ( right ) had been severely criticised by groups like the Tanjung Umno Youth and Pelajar Melayu Semenanjung Tanjung for failure to take a tough stance on the issue, which is seen as sensitive to the Muslim community.

The Penang Malay Congress (PMC) said the situation cannot be ignored, also questioning the MPPP and the Penang Islamic Council (MAIPP) about its response.

PMC president Rahmad Isahak accused MPPP councillors and MAIPP members of being under the influence of the DAP, which has led the state government since 2008.

The issue follows the controversy surrounding the demolition of a surau in a resort in Johor, which had been used for meditation and prayers by a Buddhist group from Singapore.

The resort manager, originally from Singapore, was stripped of his permanent residency status as he was deemed to have insulted Islam.