“We were waiting for the government to take firm action on The Star but instead, it got away with a warning letter,” PAS vice-president Iskandar Abdul Samad said after lodging a police report against the daily at the Ampang Jaya police station today.

He said the incident was a serious matter as it had happened in a multiracial country with many different religions, adding that preserving religious harmony among Malaysians was a top priority.

“We urge the ministry to punish The Star accordingly,” he said.

The ministry’s show-cause letter was issued after a meeting between officials and four senior editors of the paper yesterday.

Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said today that police would investigate The Star for sedition.

Saturday’s front page carried the headline “Malaysian terrorist leader” above an unconnected picture of Muslims at tarawih prayers.

The Star has published an apology for the blunder.

Ivy Chong contributed to this story.