That divide can also be seen through criticism he received from some non-Muslims.

Santiago said some question his commitment to help the Rohingya, who have become refugees in neighbouring countries in large numbers following violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine state.

He believes religion is a big factor behind such misgivings.

“It’s divided along racial and religious lines,” the two-term MP told FMT during a recent interview.

“The non-Muslims think of the Rohingya as intruders in Myanmar and so don’t need sympathy, even if it is a genocide.”

Myanmar has for decades denied the Rohingya citizenship, and recent campaigns by Buddhist extremists in the country have resulted in one of the world’s biggest refugee crisis.

Santiago said the blame should also go to those who view the plight of Rohingya in religious terms.

“Muslims in Malaysia support the Rohingya as part of an Islamic struggle,” he said.

The same is the case with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, he added.

The Rohingya plight is among issues championed by PAS and Umno, and both say they are prepared to ignore their political differences to help Rohingya Muslims for the sake of Islam.

Santiago recently warned Asean countries of a region-wide security crisis unless it ends its non-interference policy to deal with the violence against Rohingya in Myanmar.

He said with the possibility of the Rohingya building up a resistance movement against the Myanmar government, the conflict could spill over to other countries in the region.

Rohingya issue: Asean told to beware of region-wide guerilla war