KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 867 reports have been lodged nationwide against a freelance Muslim preacher who allegedly insulted Hinduism, following the release of a video clip on social media.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun said he did not rule out the possibility that more reports could be lodged.
He said police were going through all the reports against the 34-year-old who was arrested in Arau, Perlis, on Sunday.
“The case is being investigated by (federal police in) Bukit Aman after he was arrested in Arau and brought here.
“As of (Monday) morning, I have been informed that there are 867 reports against the preacher who is now under remand, and we do not rule out the possibility that more will be lodged.”
Fuzi said this after opening the Brickfields police headquarters.
He said police were also trying to identify the owner of the YouTube account, Info Sunnah Kelantan, who had uploaded a video clip of the preacher.
“We are working with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to trace the owner of the account to facilitate investigations,” he said.
Investigations are being carried out under Section 298A of the Penal Code for causing disharmony, disunity, or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill will, or prejudicing the maintenance of harmony or unity, on grounds of religion, as well as Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for improper use of network facilities or network service.
Fuzi advised the public not to misuse social media networks or any form of communication network to spread material which could provoke racial or religious tension.
The preacher, who is also the chairman of a non-governmental organisation (NGO) was detained in front of a restaurant in Arau about 2.30am after attending a religious discussion organised by the NGO at a public institution of higher learning in Perlis.
He is reported to have a criminal record for various offences.