Speaking to reporters in Kuala Terengganu today, he said the guidelines are meant to instil mutual respect and avoid tensions due to religious misunderstandings.

“(The guidelines) will help protect harmony, not only among the Muslims but also the non-Muslims so that they will be cautious and maintain their sense of respect,” Sinar Harian quoted him as saying.

Sabri said while he believes the guidelines have merit, he is not sure what the upcoming national council of Islamic religious affairs (MKI) meeting will decide on the matter.

“After the meeting, the guidelines will be brought to the Conference of Rulers for approval. We will wait for their decision,” he said.

Sabri’s defence of the guidelines comes after the Sultan of Selangor expressed his disapproval over the proposed guidelines, saying the Quran and Sunnah already provide the best guidelines for Muslims.

“Issues such as Muslims deviating from their faith due to such practices do not arise,” said the Selangor Royal Office in a Facebook post.

The royal office said as the head of Islam in Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah viewed the proposed guidelines as coming at an “inappropriate time” as Malaysians are actively fostering goodwill among ethnic and religious communities to strengthen national unity.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also said the controversial guidelines are unnecessary and will only cause anxiety.

“I think there’s no need for such guidelines because Muslims know the rules (of our faith).

“This is the norm. Let’s not complicate things and cause anxiety in our society. This is what the Cabinet decided,” he said.

He said the Cabinet’s decision on the matter will be presented to Sultan Nazrin Shah of Perak, who is the MKI chairman.