The issue was raised by Dr Kevin Yii (DAP-Bandar Kuching), who asked for updates on the comments by the Pasir Puteh MP, who had alleged in the Dewan Rakyat three months ago that Biblical injunctions about drinking alcohol had been “distorted or altered”, and that the Bible had formerly outlawed the consumption of alcohol.

Yii raised the issue under Standing Order 36(10)(C).

“I have written a letter to the speaker’s office on the statement by the Pasir Puteh MP, which I believe has caused uneasiness among the people.

“He is here now (in the Dewan Rakyat) and this is a golden opportunity to settle the matter,” he said, adding that Nik Zawawi should retract his statement and apologise to Malaysians.

Azhar replied that he would look into the matter tomorrow morning.

“I overlooked this as the correspondence was received several weeks ago,” he said.

Nik Zawawi has refused to apologise despite coming under fire from Christian groups. In a report by Malaysiakini, Nik Zawawi also said that Christians should not be offended as his statement was “a fact”.