Prescott's new Far East gaffe as he praises 'tolerance' of hardline state

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Lawyers and human rights groups said the Deputy Prime Minister was 'seriously out of touch'.

They pointed out that in recent months local councils have been allowed to demolish Hindu temples and that Muslims who tried to change religion have been jailed.

The gaffe is the latest to dog Mr Prescott's nine-day 'diplomatic' tour of the Far East, which has been ridiculed as a waste of taxpayers' money. His arrival in Kuala Lumpur yesterday coincided with the publication of an article he had written for an English-language newspaper.

Under the headline Prescott Seeks Malaysian Formula, the DPM wrote: "I'm keen to learn more about Malaysia's approach to being a successful multi-ethnic, multi-religious, multi-cultural society in a rapidly-changing world.

"I've come to Malaysia, not just to represent my government - but also to listen and to learn about your approach to achieving peaceful co-existence in your communities."

But human rights activists reacted with fury to his comments. "I had to laugh out loud," said lawyer Haris Ibrahim, representing a widow who was jailed for two years as an 'apostate' for trying to renounce Islam. "His words represent a breathtaking degree of ignorance."

As Mr Prescott's article was published, the head of the country's religious police, Mohammed Zin Dollah, admitted detaining Muslims who stray from Islam and making them read the Koran every day. He said: "They are brainwashed to become better Muslims."

But the injustices suffered by Muslims are outstripped by the persecutions suffered by the minority Hindus. Lawyer Waytha Moorthy, of the Hindu Rights Action Force, estimated up to 15,000 temples have been swept away to build new roads, offices and apartment blocks.

He said: "It is inexcusable for Mr Prescott not even to mention this issue. Anyone suggesting Britain has anything to learn from the Malaysian government is seriously out of touch."