KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 2 — The The DAP moved today to use the Sedition Act on Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, claiming the deputy prime minister had hurt non-Muslims when he allegedly accused them of insulting Islam.

In a report lodged against Muhyiddin at the Jinjang police station this morning, DAP member Yew Jia Haur said the Umno number two was quoted as making the statement in a report carried by news portal The Malaysian Insider on July 31.

In the article referred to by Yew, several religious leaders were quoted as criticising Muhyiddin for his alleged jibe against the non-Muslims, which was carried earlier that day by national news agency Bernama.

In the Bernama article, Muhyiddin had said that while Muslims do not insult the religions of others, non-Muslims insult Islam.

“This shows that there is no deep understanding within society. Muslims do not insult the religion of non-Muslims such as Christianity and Hinduism.

“But non-Muslims are insulting our religion,” he was quoted as saying.

“We find that this statement is very serious against non-Muslims... we request the police department to investigate this statement under 298A Penal Code and also Sedition Act,” said Yew, who is Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng’s assistant.

Section 298A includes a variety offences, namely causing “disharmony, disunity, or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will, or prejudicing, etc., the maintenance of harmony or unity, on grounds of religion”.

Yew said the punishment under section 298A is a prison term of not less than two years and not more than five years.

“Under Sedition Act 1948 section 4, a fine not exceeding RM5,000 or imprisonment not exceeding three years or both,” he read out to reporters.

In the Bernama article, Muhyiddin had also urged for a stop to actions that touch Muslim sensitivities, saying it would create tension like in other countries.

The deputy prime minister was reportedly responding to the controversial Aidilfitri video that features dogs.

In the 105-second video reposted on YouTube on Tuesday, dog trainer Maznah Mohd Yusof is seen walking and bathing her three dogs as the “Takbir Raya”, or Muslim call to prayer traditionally reserved for the first day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, plays in the background.

Yew, however, said there may be a possibility that Muhyiddin had not been aware that the Maznah is a Muslim herself.

“So, when the reporter asked him about this question he just give his statement without looking into it, without investigating, and without understanding the whole situation,” he added.

“He shouldn’t make such statement, he shouldn’t make the conclusion that now non-Muslims are insulting the Muslims,” Kepong DAP Socialist Youth chief Ng Wei Keong said.