Zaid chides AGC over inaction against preachers, pans 'tame' MIC
Published: Jul 23, 2025 1:34 PM
Updated: 3:34 PM
Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim has joined the chorus of criticism against the Attorney-General’s Chambers for not prosecuting preachers Zamri Vinoth and Firdaus Wong.
Admonishing the inconsistencies in the application of justice, Zaid (above) said the outcome would be different if the roles were reversed, adding that everyone is aware of it.
“This isn’t just about one preacher. It’s about the message it sends that minority faiths and cultures are not afforded the same respect, protection, or legal recourse.
“It is yet another example of how the state selectively enforces laws on race and religion, emboldening certain groups while silencing others,” he said on X today.
Yesterday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said told the Dewan Rakyat that the AGC decided not to prosecute Zamri and Firdaus as there was insufficient evidence to do so.
Preachers Zamri Vinoth and Firdaus Wong
The decision drew brickbats from MIC president SA Vigneswaran, who reminded the government that the 3R (race, religion, royalty) principle is not a legal tool to defend the sanctity of only one religion.
“If the 3R doctrine is to have any meaning in today’s Malaysia, it must be applied across all faiths, with fairness, firmness, and integrity,” he added.
Positions vs justice
Zaid was not impressed with MIC despite its criticism over the decision, calling the Indian-based party’s response tame and even complicit.
The decision drew brickbats from MIC president SA Vigneswaran, who reminded the government that the 3R (race, religion, royalty) principle is not a legal tool to defend the sanctity of only one religion.
“If the 3R doctrine is to have any meaning in today’s Malaysia, it must be applied across all faiths, with fairness, firmness, and integrity,” he added.
Positions vs justice
Zaid was not impressed with MIC despite its criticism over the decision, calling the Indian-based party’s response tame and even complicit.
MIC president SA Vigneswaran
In a reminder to leaders of minority communities, the former Umno MP said positions in the government would not help compensate for the erosion of justice and respect for the communities.
“When the focus is on ‘negotiating’ cabinet seats instead of defending the dignity and rights of the very people they claim to represent, what purpose does the party even serve anymore?
“We cannot pretend that a few token positions in government compensate for the erosion of justice, fairness, and respect for minority communities.
“What’s needed now is moral courage, not political accommodation,” Zaid added.
In a reminder to leaders of minority communities, the former Umno MP said positions in the government would not help compensate for the erosion of justice and respect for the communities.
“When the focus is on ‘negotiating’ cabinet seats instead of defending the dignity and rights of the very people they claim to represent, what purpose does the party even serve anymore?
“We cannot pretend that a few token positions in government compensate for the erosion of justice, fairness, and respect for minority communities.
“What’s needed now is moral courage, not political accommodation,” Zaid added.
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