Gerakan Youth deputy chief Andy Yong has been accused of singling out Christians in his recent statement on why religion and Bersih should not mix.

Yong, however, claims his views were misconstrued by the media and said he was sorry if any churches were offended.

In a statement today, the Council of Churches Malaysia (CCM), the umbrella group for Malaysian churches, said Yong appeared to have ignored the fact that Bersih supporters were made up of Malaysians of all faiths.

"Yong has chosen to pick out Christians but it baffles everybody as to why he has remained silent on the participation of thousands of Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs and others who have exercised their right to dissent.

"Can he show any evidence from leaders of the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism who have made statements to deny the right of participation of their adherents in the said rally.

"So why pick on the Christians?" asked CCM general secretary Rev Hermen Shastri.

He said there are Christians in Gerakan as well, most prominently Gerakan founder the late Tan Chee Khoon, who had helped build the country.

"Even today there are many party members who are Christians and we are sure they will feel slighted by the hurting statements made from within their own political fold," said Herman.

Clergy is non-partisan

Yesterday, Yong said that some churches held masses and services before the rallies in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 19 and had their believers conspicuously supporting one side.

He added that a bishop who joined the rally encouraged his followers to do the same.

Yong said "to use the sacraments to encourage support or affiliation to certain political agendas is not appropriate".

"He should consider whether he risk fuelling the anger towards (from those of) different faith and political support. He must consider the consequences of his actions.

"I am not advocating that persons who are religious should be excluded from government affairs or influencing others to do the same but its sensitivity. We cannot use religious tenets as a justification for our support in government or politics," said Yong.

He argued that religion and politics should not mix because it would lead to violence.

This evening, Yong posted an apology of sorts on Twitter.

"I'm sorry if I offended any churches. Never intended so," said Yong.