KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 5 — The Association of Churches in Sarawak (ACS) has insisted that a federal minister apologise for claiming Christian leaders used their houses of worship to criticise the government.

Unconvinced by Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Mansor's claim that his speech was "misinterpreted” by a news portal, ACS said the offending remarks could affect how the Christian community was viewed in Malaysia.

"As Christians approach the season of Lent, it comes as a shock and with deep sadness for the Church to be accused by the minister of spreading lies against the government,” ACS said in a statement.

"It is unfair to accuse Christian of spreading fake news or lies in Church when we are observing World Interfaith Harmony week along with the various charitable and educational functions of the Church.”

The group told the minister commonly called Ku Nan that he should be working to improve interfaith relations in the country and reminded him to respect the constitutional rights of Malaysians to practise their faith in peace.

On Saturday, the minister sought to explain his remarks at the Titiwangsa Kenduri 1Wilayah Persekutuan by saying he was only trying to remind followers of all faiths to not use their places of worship to spread "fake news” about the government.

Prior to ACS today, the Council of Churches (CCM) had also censured the minister.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng also told the minister today to unconditionally withdraw his offending remarks and apologise to the Christian community.

Lim warned of the dangers that could arise from highlighting any single community for criticism, particularly with the country's current political climate.

"That is why it is important for Tengku Adnan to withdraw and apologise for his unfortunate choice of using churches as an example, to demonstrate his respect for freedom of religion.”