PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang is erroneous in claiming that Christians practice a "caste" system, where the clergy is regarded as sacred, the Council of Churches Malaysia (CCM) said today.

CCM general-secretary Rev Hermen Shastri said Hadi's remark was a "gross misrepresentation of Christianity.

"'Caste is not integral to Christian doctrine and practice, and 'pastors' are not considered 'sacred' and above reproof.

"Albeit, the pastors are called upon to perform holy duties on behalf of the people of God and live holy lives," he said in a statement today.

In view of this, Hermen urged Hadi to retract his "tenuous comparison" which was both "unwarranted and bigoted."

"If left unchecked, (such remarks) will deeply hurt the religious feelings of Christians and impede harmonious interfaith relationships in the country," he added.

Earlier today, Hadi (photo) released a statement to clarify reports which quoted him saying that a PAS government would implement a "two-cabinet" system which would exclude non-Muslims from being policy-makers.

Hadi said his proposal was not an attempt to introduce a "religious caste" system, which he claimed existed among Hindus and Christians.

Hadi added that while Islam eradicated castes, other religions such as Hinduism and Christianity had castes where priests were regarded as sacred.

In his clarification today, Hadi said that in Islam, the ulama class was not regarded as sacred and they were sinners who would have to repent just like everyone else.

His clarification did not specifically state what role non-Muslims would play in a PAS cabinet.

In a speech in Penang on Sunday, Hadi had said that a PAS cabinet would have Muslim cabinet members who made policy and non-Muslim members would only be involved in implementation.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said Hadi was proposing a "master-coolie" relationship, while deputy P Ramasamy said the proposal was akin to "religious apartheid."