Gerakan has urged the police to perform an "independent and professional" investigation on Utusan Malaysia's report alleging a conspiracy to make Christianity the country's official religion and installing a Christian prime minister.

NONEIn a statement today, Gerakan president Koh Tsu Koon (right) said that the probe was necessary to "get clarity of the entire matter" and verify the veracity of the newspaper report.

"If the investigation found that the report is baseless, then the government should take the necessary action against the bloggers and Utusan Malaysia because of their irresponsible reporting," said Koh, who is the minister in the prime minister's department in charge of national unity.

Koh said that Christian leaders were aware of the Federal Constitution, based on his knowledge of them.

"Even if one or two individuals may have made remarks which can be misconstrued, they should not be taken as representing the official stand of Christian organisations.

"Therefore, if it was untrue or based only on hearsay, then Utusan Malaysia's overplay could cause inter-religious tension, detrimental to the harmony and unity of citizens," he said.

Koh was commenting on Utusan's front page report on Saturday which alleged that a meeting involving Church elders and DAP in Penang was part of the plot to install a Christian prime minister.

Both church leaders and DAP have denied this, but Utusan still insisted in a editorial today that there were "attempts" to anger the Muslim majority.

Hadi: Don't trust Utusan

In a related development, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang said that the alleged Christian plot was the work of media organisations attempt to incite the the public, particularly Malay Muslims

pas muktamar 130610 abdul hadi awang"To say that Malaysian is moving towards become a Christian country is news reporting that is not trustworthy," he said in a statement today.

Instead, Hadi (left) said that it was the authorities who failed in their attempts to enforce Islam as the religion of the Malaysian federation.

"They have failed to teach true Islam to the public and weakened the identity of the Malays who are Muslim.

"Malays are not confused about their identity and the crisis in faith which cannot strengthen Muslim Malays in this country," he said.

Hadi is the first major voice from PAS to speak out against the Utusan report.

Teng: Utusan rumour mongering

Meanwhile, Penang Gerakan chief Dr Teng Hock Nan has condemned Utusan for making no attempts to verify its allegations.

"Utusan is perceived as an Umno mouthpiece and thus the newspaper should be more responsible, mature and professional in its reporting.

gerakan cirtisize penang pakatan state financial strategy 301010 teng hock nan"The newspaper will be seen to be helping to spread a rumour without prior verification and this is incorrect and dangerous.

"Such rumour can have detrimental effects on the peace and harmony of our nation," said Teng (right).

He said that Utusan should have rightfully approached the authorities in order for them to take action early, instead of highlighting the matter and inciting its readers.

"Such sensitive and negative reports can be exploited by any party, within and outside of Malaysia for their vested interest, to destroy the foundation of Malaysia's nation-building," he added.

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