KUALA LUMPUR: The Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM) has called for action to be taken against Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin over his statement that Christians in Malaysia were working with a group of Jews to Christianise Malaysia.
CCM secretary General Reverend Jonathan Jesudas said the council was shocked by Muhyiddin's statement.
"His statement is not only untrue but it is irresponsible of a politician of his standing to make such a statement to the public which was carried and widely viewed on social media.
"Such statements, carelessly uttered, have a tendency to create racial and religious tension and strife.
"It must be addressed by the authorities to ensure that such blatant disregard of the truth and of the sensitivities of the various religions are not condoned or repeated," he said.
In his speech, Muhyiddin said it was very dangerous for Pakatan Harapan to return to power, claiming he saw a video of a group of Jews that were "sponsored" by the opposition.
The former prime minister said this was "dangerous" and questioned if there will be a "Christianisation process".
"That's one of their long-term strategies. We might not see it now but if we're not careful it can happen," he was reported to have said.
Muhyiddin claimed that the "agenda of these people" was to make Malaysia a part of its "colony".
CCM maintained that the sensitivities of the various communities must be considered by political leaders when addressing public forums, especially since Malaysia is a multi-religious and multiracial nation.
PH chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has also condemned Muhyiddin's remarks, saying the former prime minister seemed to lack political ammunition for the elections by making the statement.
"He says that Christians and Jews have swooped into the country. Is he out of political capital?" Anwar reportedly said at a ceramah last night.