THE backlash against government preacher Dr Zamihan Mat Zin’s racist remarks continued today with Selangor stripping him of his accreditation to preach Islam in the state.

Johor was the first to take action against Zamihan, which included breaking off ties with the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim).

“This is following a religious lecture by Zamihan which contained words that are racist in nature, vulgar and overly critical of the royal institution.

“In addition, the religious lecture was given at the royal mosque, where religious lectures like this should not have happened,” said Selangor Royal Court Secretary Hanafisah Jais.

According to the statement, the decision was reached after Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah’s discussion with the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) today.

“The decision is made in accordance to Rule 17, of the Tauliah (State of Selangor) Regulations.”

Zamihan had criticised the Johor sultan for banning Muslim-only launderettes in his state and also allegedly said the Chinese community is unhygienic.

The Kajang Prisons Department religious officer, who is on secondment from Jakim, was arrested last Wednesday after a video clip of his lecture in Shah Alam surfaced on social media.

In the video, Zamihan said it was not Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar’s right to declare that the Muslim-only laundrette would not be allowed in the state.

Zamihan was released on Saturday.

During a convocation in Johor on Saturday, Sultan Ibrahim explained his reasons for calling out the laundrette, noting that there was no place for discriminatory practices in the southern state. – October 16, 2017.