“When Muslim convert preachers try to portray they’re more hardline/pious than Muslims by birth”
FROM Zakir Naik to Zamri Vinoth – the latter a Muslim convert – the culture of controversial preachers making ill-timed comments continue apace in Malaysia.
The blowback from the ERA FM video clip controversy gains momentum with public outcry over the ill-informed antics of the radio station presenters in mocking Hindu traditions growing louder.
Further fanning the flames of racial and religious discord is controversial preacher Muhammad Zamri Vinoth who earlier stoked more communal ill feeling by likening the Kavadi dance to being performed by drunkards and stating that Hindus should not get offended when others mimic what they see.
Worse yet, Zamri drew comparisons with this case of the tragic incident at the Seafield temple when fireman Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim lost his life in December 2018 when rioting broke out at the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Subang.
Banyak je Hindu sendiri sebut Vel Vel sambil menari-nari macam orang kena rasuk sambil mabuk todi yang itu takda pula korang kata hina?
Apa yang korang buat itulah yang orang lain nampak dan ikut tapi bila orang ikut apa yang korang sendiri buat aik tetiba marah pula?
Kalau marah lain kali jangan buat perkara yang menjadi contoh ikutan orang! Kalau nak buat juga jangan marah. So pilih salah satu..
Needless to say, the firebrand preacher’s choice of words was met with a barrage of criticism, not least from MIC deputy president Datuk Seri M. Saravanan who somehow insinuated that Zamri has been let off the hook far too many times.
“This is a direct insult to the Hindu faith and cultural traditions in Malaysia. I call upon PDRM (Royal Malaysia Police) to take immediate action against Zamri Vinoth for his derogatory Facebook post,” fumed the Tapah MP.
Zamri Vinoth, Ridhuan Tee, Firdaus Wong
“I appeal to the Home Minister to order Zamri to be charged immediately as this is not the first time the controversial preacher has insulted Hinduism.”
As it stands, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has already confirmed that a notice intent to suspend ERA FM’s license has been issued to the station’s license holder. This in itself underlines the seriousness of the issue.
THREE MUSKETEERS: (from left) Firdaus Wong, Ridhuan Tee and Zamri Vinoth (Image credit: Firdaus Wong/Facebook; Kosmo)
But what of the likes of Zamri who has been accused of making derogatory remarks about other religions in the past?
Similar to Zamri’s Chinese counterparts Mohd Ridhuan Tee Abdullah and Firdaus Wong Wai Hung, these so-called right-wing preachers hide behind the cloak of academia or religion for legitimacy while sowing seeds of religious and racial hatred.
What is interesting, however, is that they boast big Malay Muslim fanbase on social media platforms who applaud and respected them despite their tendency to attack their own race with added venom.
Conveniently shaming own race
At a glance, Zamri, Firdaus and Ridhuan seem to be the convenient mouthpieces to make controversial statements especially on race and religion with the false veneer that it is being made by their “own kind” (ie not the Malays).
Just like Indian-national Zakir Naik, one wonders if they are being used to spew messages of extreme hate and prejudice which are even off limits to Malay religious personalities.
But what of the likes of Zamri who has been accused of making derogatory remarks about other religions in the past?
Similar to Zamri’s Chinese counterparts Mohd Ridhuan Tee Abdullah and Firdaus Wong Wai Hung, these so-called right-wing preachers hide behind the cloak of academia or religion for legitimacy while sowing seeds of religious and racial hatred.
What is interesting, however, is that they boast big Malay Muslim fanbase on social media platforms who applaud and respected them despite their tendency to attack their own race with added venom.
Conveniently shaming own race
At a glance, Zamri, Firdaus and Ridhuan seem to be the convenient mouthpieces to make controversial statements especially on race and religion with the false veneer that it is being made by their “own kind” (ie not the Malays).
Just like Indian-national Zakir Naik, one wonders if they are being used to spew messages of extreme hate and prejudice which are even off limits to Malay religious personalities.
Zakir Naik
This was thought to have been the modus operandi of previous administrations but it seems that the Madani government, too, is somehow dancing to the same tune.
To regain the respect of non-Muslims, the authorities must take stern and stiff action against the likes of Zamri and his ilk. Not taking action only underlines that messages of unity and religious harmony are just lip service.
For too long, the perception is that such preachers have been allowed to get away with virtually everything with the police and public prosecutor seemingly unable or unwilling to take action.
For things to change, this has got to stop. Unless, of course, the agenda is to retain status quo. – March 6, 2025
This was thought to have been the modus operandi of previous administrations but it seems that the Madani government, too, is somehow dancing to the same tune.
To regain the respect of non-Muslims, the authorities must take stern and stiff action against the likes of Zamri and his ilk. Not taking action only underlines that messages of unity and religious harmony are just lip service.
For too long, the perception is that such preachers have been allowed to get away with virtually everything with the police and public prosecutor seemingly unable or unwilling to take action.
For things to change, this has got to stop. Unless, of course, the agenda is to retain status quo. – March 6, 2025
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