Preacher denies criticising Johor sultan on Muslim launderettes

Nabihah Hamid Nabihah Hamid Updated 6 years ago · Published on 11 Oct 2017 10:35AM · 5 Comments

A FORMER government preacher and Prison Department religious officer today denied criticising the sultan of Johor, saying that he was merely giving his personal views on the need for Muslims to have a separate launderette to keep themselves pure.

In a religious lecture on Sunday in Shah Alam, Zamihan Mat Zin allegedly said it was not the right of Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar to ban Muslim-only launderettes in his state.

Zamihan said today he did not insult the sultan, and defended his right to share his personal views on the need for Muslims to remain religiously “clean” by not having their laundry mixed with those of non-Muslims, whom he termed as “unhygienic”.

“We, as Muslims, should defend our rights and principles. Non-Muslims can use Muslim-friendly launderettes but they have to take heed of our sensitivities,” Zamihan told The Malaysian Insight.

“We are an exemplary Muslim nation, a modern Islamic country and a good example. Why should a Muslim-only launderette be banned? Our prime minister is Muslim, our kings are Muslims, the majority of our people are Muslim, so why does such a launderette need to be shut down and be treated this way?”

Zamihan also welcomed Deputy Home Minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed’s statement that the government will launch an investigation into the incident.

“Firstly, anybody can come and investigate me. I am an honest officer, and I did not criticise or insult anybody in my speech,” he said.

“I was merely explaining my personal opinion, in support of Muslim launderettes to maintain purity.

“In order to fulfil our prayer obligations, we need to be pure. This is my personal comment in my lecture, and I didn’t even mention the Johor sultan. And there were no insulting words at all. In fact, I respect the view of the sultan of Johor,” he said.

Earlier, Zamihan issued a statement urging all political leaders, religious leaders and Muslims to “protect the purity of Islam at all times”.

“I am prepared to be investigated on the principle of courage because of the truth, and out of the fear of Allah.”

He told The Malaysian Insight that the authorities should instead investigate individuals who were threatening the sanctity of Islam and the unity of Muslims.

“I am defending the sensitivities and rights of Muslims, why should I be investigated under the Sedition Act? In fact, there are so many other religious liberals, wrong teachings and those who are anti-hadith. Go and investigate them.”  

He also claimed he was no longer a government officer and was now heading a Muslim organisation, Aswaja.

Yesterday, the Malay rulers endorsed the Johor sultan’s and Perlis raja muda’s decision to forbid Muslim-only launderettes in their respective states, lauding the two monarchs for upholding moderation and inclusiveness.

In a statement, the rulers also expressed their concerns that recent actions in the name of Islam threatened the harmony and unity of Malaysia’s multicultural people. – October 11, 2017.  

Zamihan Mat Zin says it is his right to share his personal views on the need for Muslims to remain religiously ‘clean’ by not having their laundry mixed with those of non-Muslims. – YouTube pic, October 11, 2017.

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Comments

  • A coward know no bounds in changing stance. Earlier was a hero and now after being confronted became zero. It is very obvious in his video he was in the height of exuberence in lambasting and reprimanding the Royal Household on his ploy of "Bangsa dan Agama". If such cleric is allowed to stirr shits and totally no respect and show of non tolerance to others, it is just like he unleashed a weapon of mass destruction in destroying the effort by the Johore Royal Household in promoting a happy "Bangsa Johoreans".
    This cleric will not changed and when he has the urge of Taliban behaviour calling , he goes back to being a racist and a extremist . A dangerous retard to have around. He has got to frayed to understand the deeper meaning in the religious teaching of humulity.

    Posted 6 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • En Zamihan, do you know what is your biggest problem? It is that you do not know what is your own problem. Just like some other politicians. Everyone can see it, except yourself and others who are same "species" as you.

    Posted 6 years ago by UpDown LeftRight · Reply

  • Why not? Najib did not steal BILLIONS, Hadi's PAS did not break up Pakatan Rakyat or slandered DAP or corrupted. So why not this???

    Posted 6 years ago by Bigjoe Lam · Reply

  • When he slammed the non muslim, particularly the Chinese, he mentioned about the poor bathroom hygiene practiced by the Chinese. Little did he know, most bathroom and toilet in Chinese home have bidets, and are much more cleaner than the one found probably in their own home. If we make comparison among the maintainance of public toilet between the infidels at North and South of our country, , our public toilets are in much worse condition.

    This fler do not have friends of other races, never been to other infidel countries and all in his mind is that infidels are dirty. I am just glad our minds are not as dirty as his.


    Posted 6 years ago by Butter Scotch · Reply

  • If he is so worried of "unhygenic" on behalf of all Muslims in this country,he should stop breathing whenever he is near any non-Muslims and Muslims who do not agreed with him.

    Posted 6 years ago by Can Lim · Reply