Is the law and order system waning?
13 Mar 2025 • 1:46 PM MYT
Citizen Nades
A legally qualified journalist and a good governance champion
Photo Credit: Malay Mail
When the wheels of justice turn at different intensities depending on the perpetrator’s status, it signifies a jaundiced system.
When lawmakers proclaim that everyone is treated equally and go on to admit selective prosecution later, it is a case of different strokes for different folks.
When one sector of the community goes to prison for demeaning religion while another hardly gets a rap on the knuckles, it is a show of favouritism at its highest.
It is okay for a politician to brandish a samurai sword to express his superiority and put fright into others, but when Joe Public is caught with a 10cm blade, it is deemed an offence.
Does an apology exonerate a wrongdoer in the eyes of the law? Why then prevent him from being presented before an adjudicator to pass judgment?
Should a minister become judge, jury, and executioner, and exercise power beyond his jurisdiction?
Does Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil have powers which supersede those of the police and the attorney-general?
Photo Credit: Malay Mail
How else can he decide that no further action would be taken against the three Era FM radio hosts who belittled religion because they have apologised and “gone through enough”?
What message does this decision send out? If one apologises for his mistakes, all blame will be absolved. Why do I feel Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act does not apply to lesser mortals?
Yesterday, the Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain said 894 police reports have been lodged against controversial Muslim preacher Zamri Vinoth.
He said the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) is still studying the investigation paper, and the police have yet to receive further instructions.
Also, Berita Harian reported that Razarudin warned that the issue of 3R - royalty, religion, and race - can be likened to a “new warfare strategy” capable of destabilising the nation with just a few keystrokes.
Such issues threaten national security, public order, citizens’ well-being, political and economic stability, and racial harmony.
“To prevent this, the public must act with maturity and not be swayed by emotions,” he was quoted as saying.
No one is disputing this. But the problem is at his doorstep. I am not shooting my mouth off, but records will show that in April 2021, two who were reported for insulting religion were not prosecuted because the police classified their cases as “no further action”.
Appearing on behalf of the AGC, deputy public prosecutor Ainul Amirah said the AGC was unwilling to prosecute Perlis-based preacher Zamri and Multiracial Reverted Muslims founder and president Firdaus Wong as police had classified their cases as “no further action”.
‘Untouchable’ by the law
Failure to act decisively on those who fan the flames of hatred is what the country is witnessing.
If only the law had been applied uniformly, this problem would have been nipped in the bud.
While the police who misinterpreted the Spanish word for goodbye could bang on the doors and make arrests in the wee hours of the morning, nothing has been done to Zamri who has ridiculed and derided Hinduism.
He even taunted lawmakers, defied authorities, challenged law enforcers, and mocked the law and justice system.
Or is he in the list of “untouchables” for whom the law is not applicable as suggested by Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail?
So, do we accept that this is why no action has been taken against those making provocative statements touching the 3Rs?
It was so evident for all to see – in words. Zamri in a Facebook post which was removed by the platform but he later re-uploaded, had likened kavadi-bearers during the Hindu Thaipusam festival to individuals who are possessed and intoxicated.
The post was removed from the social media platform on Sunday following a request by MCMC.
However, Zamri reportedly re-uploaded the post on his Facebook account soon after it was taken down, prompting DAP lawmaker RSN Rayer to urge authorities to arrest the preacher.
On Sunday, Fahmi said he instructed the MCMC to investigate the re-uploaded post, but the damage had been done. By the way, how long does this take?
Lawmakers and enforcers should remember Martin Luther King Jr’s famous words: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
How else can he decide that no further action would be taken against the three Era FM radio hosts who belittled religion because they have apologised and “gone through enough”?
What message does this decision send out? If one apologises for his mistakes, all blame will be absolved. Why do I feel Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act does not apply to lesser mortals?
Yesterday, the Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain said 894 police reports have been lodged against controversial Muslim preacher Zamri Vinoth.
He said the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) is still studying the investigation paper, and the police have yet to receive further instructions.
Also, Berita Harian reported that Razarudin warned that the issue of 3R - royalty, religion, and race - can be likened to a “new warfare strategy” capable of destabilising the nation with just a few keystrokes.
Such issues threaten national security, public order, citizens’ well-being, political and economic stability, and racial harmony.
“To prevent this, the public must act with maturity and not be swayed by emotions,” he was quoted as saying.
No one is disputing this. But the problem is at his doorstep. I am not shooting my mouth off, but records will show that in April 2021, two who were reported for insulting religion were not prosecuted because the police classified their cases as “no further action”.
Appearing on behalf of the AGC, deputy public prosecutor Ainul Amirah said the AGC was unwilling to prosecute Perlis-based preacher Zamri and Multiracial Reverted Muslims founder and president Firdaus Wong as police had classified their cases as “no further action”.
‘Untouchable’ by the law
Failure to act decisively on those who fan the flames of hatred is what the country is witnessing.
If only the law had been applied uniformly, this problem would have been nipped in the bud.
While the police who misinterpreted the Spanish word for goodbye could bang on the doors and make arrests in the wee hours of the morning, nothing has been done to Zamri who has ridiculed and derided Hinduism.
He even taunted lawmakers, defied authorities, challenged law enforcers, and mocked the law and justice system.
Or is he in the list of “untouchables” for whom the law is not applicable as suggested by Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail?
So, do we accept that this is why no action has been taken against those making provocative statements touching the 3Rs?
It was so evident for all to see – in words. Zamri in a Facebook post which was removed by the platform but he later re-uploaded, had likened kavadi-bearers during the Hindu Thaipusam festival to individuals who are possessed and intoxicated.
The post was removed from the social media platform on Sunday following a request by MCMC.
However, Zamri reportedly re-uploaded the post on his Facebook account soon after it was taken down, prompting DAP lawmaker RSN Rayer to urge authorities to arrest the preacher.
On Sunday, Fahmi said he instructed the MCMC to investigate the re-uploaded post, but the damage had been done. By the way, how long does this take?
Lawmakers and enforcers should remember Martin Luther King Jr’s famous words: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
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