KOTA BARU, MALAYSIA: Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat has slammed the media for excessive coverage of the sodomy allegations against PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said the reporting has turned to shaming him over the allegations and questioned why Anwar was front-page news when he was arrested while his release was reported in inside pages.

"Why must the media take pride in shaming him? Anwar is a human being and not an angel or devil.

"He is a Malay Muslim so I asked why must there be a concerted effort to shame him in the front pages of the media," he said in his weekly sermon here.

He also led some 3,000 people in praying for the safety and Anwar's well-being.

Earlier, Nik Aziz said the effort by some parties to shame others originated from a leadership of separating the role of religion and politics in the daily lifestyle.

He said the erosion of Islamic values has led to people committing sinful acts.

"It is like we are passengers in a luxurious car which has a fantastic brake system but the driver is drunk.

"The driver may not be drunk on alcohol but drunk with power and position. It would be pointless as the driver would drive us to hell instead," he said.