Joining the debate over controversial Muslim scholar Dr Zakir Naik, MCA has urged the police not to cave in to pressure from PAS.

However, MCA vice-president Chew Mei Fun made no mention of Umno Youth, which also protested against inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar's decision to call of a lecture titled 'Similarities between Islam and Hinduism'.

"We see that PAS via its information chief Nasaruddin Tantawi is opposing the police's decision, and even going so far as to defend Zakir's inflammatory espousals.

"This should not come as a surprise, seeing that PAS has always sought to introduce its theocratic policies which are detrimental to women's rights.

"Besides that, at its muktamar, PAS also glorified its member Mohd Lotfi Ariffin as a martyr, after he succumbed to injuries while fighting for terror network Daesh in Syria," she said.

As a democratic nation, Chew said Malaysia welcomes healthy public discourse, interfaith dialogues and freedom of expression.

However, she said this must come with limitations with regard to matters than can endanger religious harmony and national stability.

In her media statement, the MCA leader also accused Zakir of making controversial remarks during his lectures, leading some Muslims to brand him as being blasphemous.

"He is also known for praising Al-Qaeda's Osama Bin Laden, and said the Quran allows (members of) terrorist groups to have sex with female slaves

"Even democratic countries such as UK and Canada have prohibited Zakir from preaching in their countries," she added.

Following the police chief's decision to cancel the April 17 lecture in Malacca, numerous quarters had expressed dissatisfaction.

Among them was Umno Youth vice-chief Khairul Azwan Harun, who claimed that it impinged on religious freedom.