Malaysian authorities launch probe following public 'de-hijabbing' discussion

The probe into Saturday's "Malay Women and De-hijabbing" has raised fears about growing conservatism in the multi-ethnic nation, which critics say is chipping away at a traditionally tolerant brand of Islam. 

The forum took place at a book shop outside Kuala Lumpur to mark the launch of a book called "Unveiling Choice", about author Maryam Lee's decision to stop wearing the headscarf.

At the three-hour event, Lee and two other Muslim women shared their experiences about giving up the hijab.  

The number of women from the country's ethnic Malay Muslim majority wearing the headscarf has been increasing, which analysts say is in line with growing conservatism in the country. It is also common to see Muslim women without their heads covered.

Following a social media backlash, the religious affairs minister called for an investigation, and officers from the Islamic affairs department visited the shop to get copies of the book and talked to a staff member, the women said.

"We condemn this unnecessary investigation as abuse of power to harass and intimidate women activists," said the trio in a statement late on Tuesday.

"We are ready to give full cooperation to the authorities, however, we are unequivocal that there has been no transgression of Malaysian laws."

In a statement on Facebook, Religious Affairs Minister Mujahid Yusof Rawa had expressed concern about the event and called on Islamic authorities to probe it in a "fair and just manner".

Around 60 percent of Malaysia's 32 million inhabitants are Muslim Malays and the country is also home to substantial minorities of ethnic Indians and ethnic Chinese, who do not typically follow Islam. 

Members of different races and religions generally live side by side harmoniously but critics say that influential Muslim hardliners are pushing an increasingly conservative form of Islam.