BUKIT MERTAJAM: Thirteen police reports have been lodged against a Muslim preacher for allegedly making statements deemed insulting to Hinduism during a religious ceramah (talk) recently.
The reports were lodged against Muhammad Zamri Vinoth bin Kalimuthu by members of several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) at various police stations across mainland Penang over the last four days.
The NGOs, including the Penang Hindu Sangam, cited a 10-minute-and-34-second video – which has gone viral on social media – in which Muhammad Zamri is deemed to have uttered blasphemous statements on Hinduism to a large gathering.
The footage of Muhammad Zamri – a convert to Islam – was recorded and uploaded to social media platforms by an organisation known as Info Sunnah in Kelantan.
“The (mention) of Hinduism in the talk was very upsetting, and threatens the religious harmony… of the country.
“It also shows (Muhammad Zamri’s) ignorance of Hinduism…,” one of the reports read.
Leaders of the Penang Hindu Sangam are demanding that police take immediate action against the preacher, as his “provocative statements could spark tensions”.
Meanwhile, Seberang Perai Tengah police chief Assistant Commissioner Nik Ros Azhan Nik Abdul Hamid told the media that an investigation paper into the case has been opened at the Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur police headquarters; and that the probe will be carried out from there.
Nik Ros added that the case is being investigated under Section 298A of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.