DHPP chief N Balasubramaniam said Nga’s comments where he, among others, allegedly accused PAS of exploiting religion and being deviant, were defamatory and harmful to national unity.

He said the DAP vice-chairman’s remarks were insulting, slanderous and could divide the nation’s multicultural society.

“We ask all state DHPP leaders and committee members to stand together to protect national harmony and oppose actions that can divide the community,” he said in a Facebook post.

Balasubramaniam lodged the report at the Jerantut police headquarters.

FMT has contacted Nga for comment.

The controversy arose after a video surfaced showing Nga celebrating Christmas at his ministry, including with some Muslim staff.

PAS Youth vice-chief Hanif Jamaluddin slammed Nga over the matter, saying he should understand that Muslims were prohibited from getting directly involved in celebrations of faiths that went against Islamic teachings.

A source within the ministry told FMT they did not force any of its personnel to attend the function, and that the carollers who performed at the event were Christians from East Malaysia while the songs were secular in nature.

Yesterday, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan threatened to take legal action against Nga over his criticism of the Islamic party.

He claimed Nga had accused PAS of being “deviant”, “spreading deviant teachings”, “exploiting religion”, “damaging societal harmony” and “blocking Christmas celebrations”.

Nga dismissed this, saying he was a “minister for all Malaysians” and would continue to defend the fundamental liberties of Malaysians.

He also said he “will never succumb to threats by extremists”.