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CONTROVERSIAL preacher Zamri Vinoth, coordinator of the Anti-Illegal Religious Dwelling Movement (GARAH), is set to be charged at the Magistrate’s Court tomorrow over a planned demonstration outside a shopping complex in the capital on 7 February.
Court records indicate that the charges will be read before Magistrate Faezahnoor Hassan at 9 a.m.
Zamri’s lawyer, Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdulla, confirmed the matter.
The case follows a referral by the police to the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) over Zamri’s statements at the protest, leading to charges under Section 505(B) of the Penal Code for statements intended to cause, or likely to cause, public fear or alarm.
The authorities have faced challenges in serving the charges, as Zamri was reported to have fled to Thailand on 13 March.
“Efforts to locate the individual are ongoing with the assistance of Thai authorities,” said Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail.
Meanwhile, the fallout from the GARAH gathering has expanded into civil litigation, with 11 individuals filing a lawsuit against the government for wrongful detention during the demonstration at Sogo Shopping Complex last month.
The plaintiffs, including Gulab Jan Fazal Eladi, Special Communications Officer for the Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association (PPIM), filed the suit through law firm Zainul Rijal Abu Bakar at the High Court here today.
The defendants named include members of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Kuala Lumpur Police Chief Datuk Fadil Marsus, Dang Wangi district police chief Assistant Commissioner Sazalee Adam, Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and the Malaysian government.
Speaking at a press briefing, Datuk Zainul Rijal alleged that the wrongful detention violated Articles 5, 9, and 10 of the Federal Constitution.
He said that the police had applied unnecessary force during arrests, resulting in “loss of personal liberty, physical injury, discomfort, emotional stress, and damage to dignity and mental well-being.”
“The lawsuit seeks for the authorities to be held accountable and for the recognition of constitutional rights that were denied,” he said, adding that the plaintiffs are demanding written apologies, a declaration that the detention was unlawful and unconstitutional, general and exemplary damages, five percent interest, and legal costs.
On 8 February, 19 individuals—including Zamri and Tamim Dahri Abdul Razak, founder of TanahMalaya.com—were arrested near Sogo. Kuala Lumpur Police Chief Datuk Fadil Marsus said the detainees, aged 30 to 64, were taken into custody to prevent potential escalation or the occurrence of criminal activity linked to the protest. - March 16, 2026