Newly elected Malaysian Bar president Anand Raj has reminded the authorities to apply the law equally, after a self-styled land activist challenged his critics to locate him.
The activist, Tamim Dahri Abdul Aziz, had, in a brief post on Threads yesterday, questioned whether those seeking his arrest were certain of his whereabouts in southern Thailand.
He concluded the post with the hashtag “catch me if you can”.
“The Malaysian Bar reiterates what we have always stood for. The law must be applied equally, consistently, and without fear or favour to all Malaysians, regardless of race, religion, or political affiliation.
“Anything less would be an affront to the rule of law and to all peace-loving people of this nation.
“Where the authorities have said that action will be taken against any individual, it is incumbent upon the authorities to take all necessary steps to enforce the law in accordance with its terms and without exception,” Anand told Malaysiakini in a statement.
Tamim, Zamri face charges
Tamim is set to face a charge for desecrating a sacred Hindu trident at the former site of Sri Maha Muniswarar Temple in Langkawi, Kedah. He will face his charge at the Langkawi Magistrate’s Court in Kedah tomorrow.
In a statement on March 13, Inspector-General of Police Khalid Ismail said Tamim will be charged under Section 295 of the Penal Code, namely the destruction or defilement of any object held sacred by any class of persons with the intent to wound the religious feelings of any class of persons.
The offender is liable to imprisonment for up to two years, a fine, or both.
Separately, controversial preacher Zamri Vinoth is expected to be charged at the Kuala Lumpur Magistrate’s Court tomorrow, according to online court listings of scheduled cases.
According to the listing, Zamri is set to appear before magistrate Faezahnoor Hassan at 9am.
When contacted, Zamri’s lawyer, Haniff Khatri Abdulla, confirmed the charge but did not reveal further details.
Zamri has been the subject of multiple police reports over his allegedly inflammatory statements targeting the Indian community, which are linked to a wider movement against Hindu temples allegedly constructed illegally.
In the March 13 statement, Khalid said that Zamri and Tamim had fled to Thailand as police closed in on the pair following separate incidents of racial and religious provocation.
Zamri, in response, had denied “running away” and insisted that he would personally meet Khalid if necessary.
Khalid said Zamri is facing two separate sets of charges.
The first charge is framed under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, namely the making of statements constituting public mischief with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause, fear or alarm to the public.
The offence carries imprisonment for a term of up to two years, or a fine, or both.
On the investigation against Zamri over statements of an insulting nature directed at the Indian community, Khalid said the investigation papers have been referred to the Penang state prosecution director’s office for a charge directive under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948.
Penang police were investigating Zamri for sedition over a TikTok livestream on March 8, where he purportedly made statements that were threatening, provocative, insulting, and racist.
Today, Bernama reported Khalid saying that intelligence indicates Tamim is likely in Thailand.
“We have intelligence that he has gone to a neighbouring country, namely Thailand. Beyond that, we are still uncertain of his exact location, and further information is being obtained,” he reportedly said.
On Zamri, he said that the police have preliminary information on his movements and believe he may still be within the country.
Indian community activists also face charges
Separately, activist Arun Dorasamy posted on Facebook today that he will also face a sedition charge at the Penang Magistrate’s Court at 8.30am tomorrow.
According to Free Malaysia Today, Arun said the charge follows a report lodged against him over his statements “defending (Hindu) temples in Dengkil and Rawang”.
On March 2, Sinar Harian reported that Selangor police chief Shazeli Kahar said eight police reports had been lodged against Arun for his role in the controversy surrounding the Rawang temple.
Another activist, P Mahendra Bhoopaty, will be charged at the Seremban Magistrate’s Court.
Bernama reported that Mahendra and Arun face similar charges under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code. - Mkini
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