Malay language daily Sinar Harian today apologised for publishing an information text box accusing the 'Christian movement' of, among others, permitting prostitution and encouraging free mingling between the sexes.
The apology issued by the management and editorial department of Sinar Harian was published on page 8 of today's issue.
"We admit the error in the publication of 'Objectives of the Christian movement' in the Info Column on page 9, edition Aug 23, 2011.
"The information published is not accurate. Therefore we retract the Info and apologise to all Sinar Harian readers, especially Christians, over the error committed."
The daily this week gave extensive coverage to a so-called "apostasy movement" in its regular Monday column Bicara Isnin.
In the second part of the column published yesterday, scathing allegations were levelled against the 'Christian movement' and these were listed in an information text box titled Matlamat gerakan Kristian (Objectives of the Christian movement).
Sinar Harian listed four items that it said are among other programmes afoot "to destroy Muslims":
1. Social movement: encouraging free mingling between the sexes;
2. Moral degradation: damaging moral values with wild activities;
3. Permitting prostitution as a service occupation; and
4. Films and music: inserting negative or extreme elements and excessive music that leads to heedlessness and negligence.
The daily did not elaborate on these allegations.