Universiti Malaya academic Dr Patricia Martinez who specialises in Islamic studies denied writing an inflammatory article titled 'Why Malaysia is already a Christian state' posted at various newsgroups yesterday afternoon.

"The article was sent by an address that I have never established. Neither have I ever subscribed to Bungaraya, Alternatives2004, BeritaMalaysia or SangKancil," said Martinez in a later message posted at newsgroups.

The article which was divided into three separate postings contained, among others, allegations that Malaysia is actually a Christian state as certain key aspects of Islam originated from Christian and Jewish scriptures.

Martinez denounced the circulation of the article as attempt to tarnish her reputation as the only non-Muslim Malaysian with a PhD in Islam. It is also an attempt to disrupt a forum scheduled to take place at a Petaling Jaya church tomorrow on the question of Malaysia as an Islamic state, she added.

Martinez will moderate the forum whose panel members are DAP chairperson Lim Kit Siang, PAS vice-president Dr Hasan Mohd Ali, and Anuar Abdul Razak who is a fellow of the Institute of Islamic Understanding (Ikim).

Martinez also said that she will be lodging a police report on the matter.

Fraudulent subscriber

Meanwhile Lim has urged the police to act promptly to identify and prosecute the cyber-criminal who tried to foment inter-religious strife in Malaysia and smear Martinez's good name.

It is clear that the cyber-criminal had acted with malice, foreknowledge and pre-planning, by fraudulently subscribing to the various mailing lists in Patricia's name and posting the inflammatory article, said Lim in a statement.

Lim also contacted the manager of one of the newsgroups in which the article was posted for further information on the forgery.

The Bungaraya mailing list manager Dinesh Nair has pledged full co-operation with police investigations, said Lim.

Following Martinez's denial, Dinesh posted a message listing down the server address from which the controversial article originated.

The organiser of the forum, the Catholic Research Centre, has confirmed that the forum will go ahead tomorrow as planned.