KUALA LUMPUR, May 10 — Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein was “irresponsible” to comment on the alleged plot to install a Christian prime minister without first probing the claims thoroughly, Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian has said.

“This irresponsible act and lack of initiative by the home minister, no less, only serve to inflame already frayed emotions over a sensitive matter,” Baru (picture) said in a statement today.

He said ministers from Umno “should not allow their emotions to sweep away their intellect” and issue “cheap, crude and cowardly” statements that promote a siege mentality among Muslims and insult their intelligence.

Baru also said that while it was clear that Islam is the religion of the federation, there was nothing in the Federal Constitution that prevented a Christian from becoming prime minister.

“Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein should learn from his colleague (Tan Sri Bernard Dompok). Instead of fuelling fear, it is incumbent upon the home minister to educate the public and ensure national security,” he said.

Plantation, Industries and Commodities Minister Dompok was the first member of the Najib administration to point out that it was not against the Constitution to have a non-Muslim and non-Malay prime minister.

Baru said Sarawakians of all religions should not allow themselves to be “hoodwinked” by Umno’s desperate attempts to cause confusion by “blowing up” religious issues for political gain.

“In Sarawak, we enjoy a unique culture of not only tolerance but mutual respect for all religions. Umno’s dangerous shenanigans are certainly not welcome here,” he said.

The controversy first started when Utusan Malaysia reported a presumed secret plot by Christian groups to install a Christian as prime minister.

The Malay daily carried a front-page article on Saturday claiming the DAP was conspiring with Christian leaders to take over Putrajaya and abolish Islam as the religion of the federation.

The report, based entirely on unsubstantiated blog postings by several pro-Umno bloggers, charged the DAP with sedition for allegedly trying to change the country’s laws to allow a Christian prime minister.

The blog postings included a grainy photograph showing what was described as a secret pact between the opposition party and pastors at a hotel in Penang last Wednesday.

Christian groups and the DAP have repeatedly denied the allegation, and have slammed the Umno daily for printing “dangerous lies”.