Puteri Umno chief Mas Ermieyati Samsudin has defended the move to bar non-Muslims from the ' Daulatkan Islam Agama Negara ' (Dian) programme launch earlier today which was organised by the wing.

"As we all know, Dian is a programme to protect the sovereignty of Islam and the country.

“So, it is exclusive to Muslim leaders and members. That is all,” she was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times .

The report said Mas Ermieyati declined to comment further when pressed by journalists.

The programme, held at Putra World Trade Centre, was launched by Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Non-Muslim journalists who tried to attend the event were informed by a member of the Malaysian Volunteer Force (Rela) that they were not allowed in.

The Rela vounteer had said he did not know why non-Muslim reporters were barred and that he was only following instructions.

According to the event brochure the programme will set up a squad to promote awareness on the threats relating to secularism, pluralism and liberalism.

It is aimed at promoting Islam to the younger generation and will comprise female Muslims aged 16 to 35.