PETALING JAYA: DAP’s RSN Rayer and Urimai chairman P Ramasamy have doubled down on calls for police action against independent preacher Zamri Vinoth, who recently urged the national unity ministry to organise a dialogue between him and MIC deputy president M Saravanan.
In a statement, Ramasamy said that instead of engaging with Zamri, the authorities should arrest and charge him for repeated hate speech.
“If law enforcement continues to drag its feet, the public cannot be blamed for believing that justice in this country is applied unfairly,” the former Penang deputy chief minister added.
National unity minister Aaron Ago Dagang expressed hope yesterday that the proposed debate would be called off.
He said debates focusing too much on religious differences could escalate tension and strain relationships among Malaysia’s multi-religious communities.
Ramasamy said that no reasonable person should entertain such a demeaning debate.
“No debate. No dialogue. What is needed is immediate legal action,” he said.
Rayer meanwhile urged the attorney-general and the police to press immediate charges against Zamri as well as three Era FM radio hosts who had sparked controversy over a video appearing to mock the Thaipusam kavadi ritual.
Rayer, the Jelutong MP, said immediate action was necessary to prove that there were no double standards in cases of religious mockery.
“In the meantime, I urge all Malaysians to remain calm and continue lodging police reports nationwide against Zamri, as this is the only way we can demand action by the authorities against him,” he said.
The debate was mooted following remarks by Zamri in a Facebook post about the Hindu kavadi ritual. He said the participants appeared “possessed and drunk on toddy”.
Saravanan had called for legal action against Zamri, accusing him of insulting Hindu practices and urging authorities to take action under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012.
Saravanan later challenged Zamri to a public debate on Hinduism on March 23, a challenge which Zamri accepted.
