Cops have no right to stop Zakir from speaking in public, says aide

Mohd Farhan Darwis Mohd Farhan Darwis Updated 6 years ago · Published on 23 Aug 2019 7:00AM · 7 Comments

Mumbai-born preacher Zakir Naik is under police investigation over his allegedly incendiary remarks on Malaysia's Hindus and Chinese. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, August 23, 2019.

POLICE are wrong to bar Zakir Naik from giving lectures via social media, said an aide to the controversial televangelist.

Muhammad Zamri Vinoth Kalimuthu also said only the courts have the power to stop someone from speaking in public, as there are no laws preventing anyone from giving a ceramah.

“The inspector-general of police ought to explain why Zakir cannot speak in public,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

On Tuesday, police banned the Mumbai-born preacher from speaking on all media, including social media, until they have completed their investigations into more than 100 reports lodged against him.

Top cop Abdul Hamid Bador said the move is only temporary, and aimed at keeping the peace.

“Under what laws can police stop him from giving a ceramah? We understand if he is advised not to touch on racial issues during his speeches,” said Zamri.

“But the IGP has prohibited Zakir from speaking without giving any reason.”

Zakir is being investigated over a speech he gave in Kota Baru, Kelantan, some two weeks ago, where he allegedly insulted Malaysia’s Hindus and Chinese.

Zamri said the police order against Zakir contradicts the Pakatan Harapan government’s policy of upholding free speech.

“The new government is promoting freedom of expression and civil rights, and has even allowed LGBT to speak and demonstrate,” he said, referring to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

“But when it comes to Zakir, he is not allowed to speak. Where’s the logic?”

Muhammad Zamri Vinoth Kalimuthu, an aide to Zakir Naik, insists that only a small group of non-Muslims is opposed to the preacher. – YouTube screen grab, August 23, 2019.

In March, LGBT activists took part in a Women’s Day march in Kuala Lumpur. Although the group and event organisers were later called in for questioning, police did not charge them with any crime.

Zamri said only a small group of non-Muslims is opposed to Zakir.

“Not all non-Muslims are against him. There are many good non-Muslims, and only a small group is against him.

“I believe there are more people who support him rather than oppose him. Why should the minority voices be heard?”

He said the 52-year-old preacher has not decided what to do following the police ban.

However, he said, Zakir’s Peace TV, which operates out of Abu Dhabi, will continue to broadcast programmes.

Zakir’s media officer, Aarif Malik, confirmed that the channel will continue operating as usual.

Peace TV, which is transmitted to millions worldwide, was barred from airing in India two years ago after its content was deemed contentious.

The channel can be accessed via an app available on the Google Play Store, which has had more than 100,000 downloads. It carries programmes in several languages, namely English, Urdu, Chinese and Bengali.

The UK broadcasting regulator has found Peace TV guilty of hate speech, and the channel risks having its licence revoked.

Ofcom said it scrutinised five programmes following complaints on homophobia and criminal incitement, and found four to be in breach of broadcasting rules. – August 23, 2019.

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Comments

  • Zamri said only a small group of non-Muslims is opposed to Zakir.
    Thamby, Sudah Lama tak mabuk ke?
    Where's your statistical data to back tour argument?
    Dare you carry a survey to back your claim!

    Posted 6 years ago by Chee yee ng · Reply

  • The Home Ministry does not have to provide any reasons for terminating his PR status. By law.
    Just DO IT.

    Posted 6 years ago by Arul Inthirarajah · Reply

  • First of all freedom of speech is not absolute. Moreover, Zakir is a PR holder and is not a Malaysian citizen. Anyone who crosses the line should be pulled up by the authorities.

    Posted 6 years ago by Gilbert De Souza · Reply

  • These new converts to Islam, like Zamri, seem more fanatical than the others! Look at Ridhuan Tee and a few other Chinese converts. Depressing lah.

    Posted 6 years ago by Simple Sulaiman · Reply

  • Challenging PDRM? Malaysia is a multi cultures, religions and races society. This is a hard and true fact that everybody must adhere if we want to live peacefully, joyfully and harmoniously. No religious matter in politic, best no religion or race based party. This is the best policy but political opportunists insist on race or religion based political party for their narrow thinking support and possibly hidden agenda. Malaysians must wake up on this, the country can never go far if we allow this narrow thinking politic to navigate the country. 60 years is too long to prove to us , it works to the advantage of those in power, most of their next generation are billionaires or multi millionaires. Are u one of them? 99% NOT, why u still support race or religion based political parties? U choose to be exploited? U choose to be marginalised? U choose to be poor? U choose to give up your freedom and opportunities?

    Posted 6 years ago by James Wong · Reply

  • Law and order comes first, not religion. The police have wide peacekeeping powers and are right to have banned Zakir from further spewing vitriol.

    Posted 6 years ago by Ravinder Singh · Reply

  • Zakir Naik & gang seem to believe they are higher than the law in Malaysia. First, this foreigner has the cheek to tell Malaysian citizens to leave the country. Next, he sues those who call him out for who he is. Now his followers say the police don't have a right to tell him to keep the peace. The best solution for national peace still looks like sending him home to his country. It looks like they really want him back.

    Posted 6 years ago by Leong Hong · Reply