A simmering conflict between conservative and moderate Muslims has flared into an open row between the Prime Minister, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, and senior clerics.
Dr Mahathir, regarded as a moderate, said some Mufti, Malaysia's highest-ranking Islamic officials, had labelled him a near-apostate for his critical remarks about the arrest of three young women in Selangor state for appearing in a beauty contest.
The women were subsequently prosecuted for indecency and fined.
The arrests followed a Selangor fatwa, or edict, banning Muslim women from taking part in beauty pageants. Women's groups said the fatwa had not been publicised.
Acceptance by the public of the Mufti's accusation, which was one step away from saying the Prime Minister had renounced his religion, could seriously undermine Dr Mahathir's role as president of the United Malays National Organisation, the dominant government party, which purports to speak for Malays and Muslims.
Virtually all Malays, who make up nearly 60 per cent of the population, are Muslims.