Saravanan: Arrest controversial preacher under Sosma
Published: Mar 6, 2025 6:27 PM
Updated: 9:57 PM
Summary
- MIC deputy president M Saravanan urges authorities to arrest and detain preacher Zamri Vinoth under Sosma.
- He adds that if Sosma can be used to arrest errant Indian youths despite a lack of evidence, the same can be done to Zamri.
The Tapah MP calls on all Malaysian Hindus to unite and lodge police reports against Zamri.
MIC deputy president M Saravanan said today authorities should arrest preacher Zamri Vinoth under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma).
He said this following Zamri’s offensive comparison of Hindus chanting “vel vel” during Thaipusam to those who are “possessed or intoxicated”.
In defending the call, Saravanan pointed out cases where the preventive law was used to detain errant Indian youths due to the authorities’ inability to gather enough evidence against them despite knowing they had committed crimes.
“I urge all political parties, temple managements, religious bodies, NGOs, and individuals to lodge police reports against the brainless Zamri.
“I have brought this matter to the attention of the prime minister and the home minister.
“The home minister (Saifuddin Nasution Ismail) informed me today that he has instructed the police to conduct investigations,” said the Tapah MP.
‘Losing community’s support’
Saravanan warned that failure to arrest and detain Zamri under Sosma could risk the government losing the support of the Malaysian Hindu community.
“Zamri has been continuously insulting. The government must take stern action.
“Arrest him under Sosma. Take action against religious bigots,” he said, stressing that an individual’s bad actions should not be equated to the entire religion.
MIC deputy president M Saravanan said today authorities should arrest preacher Zamri Vinoth under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma).
He said this following Zamri’s offensive comparison of Hindus chanting “vel vel” during Thaipusam to those who are “possessed or intoxicated”.
In defending the call, Saravanan pointed out cases where the preventive law was used to detain errant Indian youths due to the authorities’ inability to gather enough evidence against them despite knowing they had committed crimes.
“I urge all political parties, temple managements, religious bodies, NGOs, and individuals to lodge police reports against the brainless Zamri.
“I have brought this matter to the attention of the prime minister and the home minister.
“The home minister (Saifuddin Nasution Ismail) informed me today that he has instructed the police to conduct investigations,” said the Tapah MP.
‘Losing community’s support’
Saravanan warned that failure to arrest and detain Zamri under Sosma could risk the government losing the support of the Malaysian Hindu community.
“Zamri has been continuously insulting. The government must take stern action.
“Arrest him under Sosma. Take action against religious bigots,” he said, stressing that an individual’s bad actions should not be equated to the entire religion.
Zamri Vinoth
At the same time, Saravanan also credited Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Unity Minister Aaron Ago Dagang, and Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh for their related statements.
Ramkarpal, a former deputy law minister, yesterday said Zamri’s comments violated Sections 504 and 505 of the Penal Code, which criminalise intentional insults to breach the peace and statements conducive to public mischief, respectively.
He said action can also be taken against the preacher under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
Zamri, in a Facebook post, also posted an image with the caption that read chanting “vel vel” does not lead to a loss of life like what happened to firefighter Adib Kassim, who died during a riot outside a Hindu temple in Subang Jaya, Selangor, in 2018.
Zamri was commenting on the incident involving three radio announcers from Era FM being investigated over a TikTok video showing one of them dancing while another chanted “vel vel”.
The radio hosts, who have since apologised, were also suspended pending police and MCMC investigations.
It should be noted that in December last year, the Court of Appeal rejected an activist’s application to commence private prosecution against Zamri and another preacher, Firdaus Wong, for allegedly insulting non-Islamic religions and practices.
The application was filed after the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) decided not to prosecute the duo.
The court cited Article 145 of the Federal Constitution to reject the application, stating the attorney-general holds the executive power to decide whether they (the prosecution) want to proceed with a particular case or otherwise.
Ramkarpal, a former deputy law minister, yesterday said Zamri’s comments violated Sections 504 and 505 of the Penal Code, which criminalise intentional insults to breach the peace and statements conducive to public mischief, respectively.
He said action can also be taken against the preacher under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
Zamri, in a Facebook post, also posted an image with the caption that read chanting “vel vel” does not lead to a loss of life like what happened to firefighter Adib Kassim, who died during a riot outside a Hindu temple in Subang Jaya, Selangor, in 2018.
Zamri was commenting on the incident involving three radio announcers from Era FM being investigated over a TikTok video showing one of them dancing while another chanted “vel vel”.
The radio hosts, who have since apologised, were also suspended pending police and MCMC investigations.
It should be noted that in December last year, the Court of Appeal rejected an activist’s application to commence private prosecution against Zamri and another preacher, Firdaus Wong, for allegedly insulting non-Islamic religions and practices.
The application was filed after the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) decided not to prosecute the duo.
The court cited Article 145 of the Federal Constitution to reject the application, stating the attorney-general holds the executive power to decide whether they (the prosecution) want to proceed with a particular case or otherwise.
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