A DAP lawmaker has called on Home Minister Safuddin Nasution Ismail to explain why no decisive action has been taken against Muslim preacher Zamri Vinoth despite 894 police reports filed against him.
Jelutong MP RSN Rayer (above) noted that Vinoth has yet to face charges, even though he has made incendiary statements about race and religion.
“This individual has 894 police reports against him. He frequently makes statements on social media that provoke public anger and spark misunderstandings between races.
“Why has he still not been charged in court?” he asked during a press conference in Parliament today.
Also present were DAP’s Klang MP Ganabatirau, PKR’s Sungai Siput MP S Kesavan, and a representative of DAP’s Beruas MP Ngeh Koo Ham.
Rayer revealed that he had also lodged a police report against Zamri following the preacher’s application to hold a protest against illegal places of worship in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.
He urged Inspector-General of Police Khalid Ismail not to green-light the gathering, claiming that it could trigger racial and religious tensions and invite unhealthy polemics.
Rayer stressed that while he supports the principles of freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly, every action must have limits to ensure national harmony.
“I believe the rally targets issues related to temples, which is a very sensitive topic. There are many other ways to address this problem, for example, through discussions.
“If he (Zamri) were a responsible person, he should hold discussions with the relevant stakeholders,” he said.
NGO pans AGC
In July last year, Lawyers for Liberty criticised the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) decision not to prosecute controversial Zamri, and another Muslim preacher, Firdaus Wong, on the grounds of insufficient evidence.
LFL director Zaid Malek said that the response “smacks of double-standards and selective prosecution”.
The AGC’s decision also drew criticism from MIC, with party president SA Vigneswaran stating that the 3R (race, royalty, and religion) principle is not a legal tool to defend the sanctity of only one religion.
In March 2025, a deluge of police reports was lodged against Zamri when he compared kavadi bearers during Thaipusam to individuals who are possessed or intoxicated.
For the record, Zamri’s Feb 7 protest also coincides with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to Malaysia, but the preacher has denied that there is any link.
Yesterday, Malaysiakini reported that Zamri had submitted a notice to Dang Wangi police regarding the protest, which is expected to involve about 141 NGOs. - Mkini
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