PETALING JAYA: An MP has called for the arrest of independent preacher Zamri Vinoth after a post about Hindus, viewed as being offensive, reappeared hours after it was apparently removed by Facebook.
The MP for Jelutong, RSN Rayer of DAP, said Zamri must be charged in court for apparently defying the law by reposting a “seditious and irresponsible post”.
Rayer accused Zamri of being unrepentant as well as continuing to incite, instigate and stoke racial and religious tension in Malaysia.
Zamri’s post was apparently removed by Facebook earlier today after a request by Malaysian officials. FMT has come to understand that Facebook restricted only Malaysian users from access to the post, which now requires a resubmission of a user’s password before access is allowed.
Zamri said in his post that many Hindus themselves described those performing the kavadi ritual during Thaipusam as being “possessed and drunk on toddy” and asked why that was not regarded as being insulting.
His remarks followed a controversy surrounding three Era FM radio hosts, who were widely criticised for mocking the kavadi ritual.
Rayer said it was irresponsible of Zamri to link his comment about kavadi-bearers to the death of a fireman during a riot at a temple in Subang Jaya in 2018.
“It is time for the authorities to act now and act immediately. The police must show Malaysians that Zamri is not above the law,” Rayer said.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission said today it had asked Facebook to take down Zamri’s post, in response to Rayer questioning the “seeming inaction” over Zamri’s post.
MCMC said Zamri’s post was found to contain elements of an offence under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.