The Christian Federation of Malaysia has hit out at the Pahang mufti's "incendiary" claim that those who oppose hudud law are ‘kafir harbi', calling for the prime minister's leadership to eradicate such rhetoric.

"It is regrettable that a state mufti, the most senior Islamic cleric of a state and who is also a public servant, uses the term without a thought as to what it may conjure up in the minds of Malaysians," said CFM chairperson Eu Hong Seng in a statement today.

"We are dismayed by the silence over the years as our society is hit by the divisive issues of race and religion.

"We need strong leadership from our prime minister and his government to quell all manner of divisive rhetoric that come at us in this season of our nation’s history, " said Eu.

He said an "active and proactive" department of national unity and national integration is needed to work hard at maintaining the peace of our nation.

Eu added Malaysians had a constitutional right to question implementation of Islamic laws.

"Questioning, doubting, or rejecting any change in laws or policy - such as with establishing hudud - is the fundamental constitutional right of all Malaysians.

"Hudud is a small part of the syariah, not even constantly or consistently applied throughout the history of Islam.

"So how can such Malaysians be designated as enemies of Islam?" he asked.

On June 24, Pahang mufti Abdul Rahman Osman was reported by Utusan Malaysia calling DAP 'kafir harbi' for opposing PAS' move to implement hudud in Kelantan, painting the party as anti-Islam.

The term for non-Muslims who wage war against Islam implies that those so labelled can be killed.

The mufti subsequently clarified the term was not aimed just at DAP but all non-Muslims who oppose the Islamic penal code.

Following a national outcry over his proclamation, which critics called dangerous and irresponsible, Abdul Rahman has refused to retract his statement.

Following police reports, the police are investigating the mufti's statements under the Sedition Act.

"We are also mindful that the police are now investigating and we hope this matter will be attended to swiftly and the investigative results made public as soon as it is completed," said Eu.

He said in light of the rising global terrorist threat, all Malaysians should work together with the government to ensure the security and wellbeing of our beloved nation.

"We must deal quickly with irresponsible, radical and divisive elements who seem to enjoy privileged protection whilst indiscriminately snapping at our heels."