Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin is in Tehran, Iran to represent Malaysia at the inauguration of the new Iranian president Hassan Fereydoon Rouhani as government-controlled media organisations continues its anti-Shiite campaign back home.

Various Malay dailies, in particular Umno-linked Utusan Malaysia and Sinar Harian , have been giving wide coverage about the spread and alleged evils of Shiite teachings in Malaysia for more than a week.

In fact, Sinar Harian dedicated its entire first three pages today to such reports.

Hassan, 64, was the sole cleric who contested in the presidential polls. His campaign theme was “moderation and wisdom”, promising reforms, civil rights, helping to free political prisoners and working to ease sanctions.

In televised debates, Hassan criticised his predecessor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s confrontational foreign policies and handling of the economy.

Hassan won 50.7 percent of the vote held in June. He avoided a run-off after the runner-up came a distant second.