MP concerned over lack of action against inflammatory religious speech

An Amanah lawmaker has expressed concern over an alleged lack of action against inflammatory remarks with religious undertones by certain quarters.

Citing the case of preacher Zamihan Mat Zin, Kuala Terengganu MP Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah Raja Ahmad said the former had up until recently, gotten away with making allegedly controversial statements.

Raja Bahrin said action was only taken against Zamihan when he provoked Malay royalty.

"Action against Zamihan when he criticised the Johor sultan. Even then we are not sure how effective the action would be.

"If the case did not involve the sultan, I am confident that Zamihan would remain 'invincible'," he said.

Zamihan is being investigated for sedition after allegedly criticising Johor monarch Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar's opposition to Muslim-only laundrettes.

Raja Bahrin's remarks echo that of Amanah communications director Khalid Samad, who claimed Zamihan was being protected by a "godfather".

Zamihan has denied Khalid's allegations and has threatened legal action if the latter doesn't apologise.

Raja Bahrin, however, said the problem extends beyond Zamihan, citing instances where non-Muslims were targetted by religious authorities, including one incident where DAP supporters were called kafir harbi (non-believers who must be opposed).

He expressed gratitude to Sultan Ibrahim and his Selangor counterpart Sharafuddin Idris Shah for succeeding in controlling "an extremist situation which is becoming worse".- Mkini