Independent preacher Zamri Vinoth and activist Arun Dorasamy have both pleaded not guilty to separate offences.
Zamri (above, left), 41, was charged in the Kuala Lumpur Magistrates' Court this morning under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, which criminalises statements made with the intent to cause, or which may cause, disturbance to the public.
Those convicted can be liable to imprisonment for up to two years, a fine, or both.
He was accused of committing the offence via a Facebook post on Feb 3 regarding a gathering involving “illegal temples", Free Malaysia Today reported.
Citing the charge sheet, the Malay Mail reported that Zamri, whose real name is Zamri Vinoth Kalimuthu, allegedly uploaded the post under a Facebook account named “Zamri Vinoth,” after which it was seen by a complainant in Kuala Lumpur.
During the proceedings, deputy public prosecutors requested bail to be set at RM10,000, noting that investigations had been active for over a month since the initial police report, while also referencing Zamri’s recent travel to Thailand.
Zamri’s lawyer, however, denied allegations that his client had attempted to flee the country after the post went viral, arguing that the travel was purely for business and personal matters.
In presenting passport records showing Zamri travelled to Thailand via the Sungai Golok land border in Kelantan on March 12, one day before police alleged he had absconded, the lawyer also submitted documents to show Zamri’s involvement in handling cross-border marriage arrangements.
The dealings are said to be in coordination with Islamic authorities in Perlis and Thailand.
In appealing for a lower bail amount, the lawyer told the court that Zamri has consistently cooperated with authorities and is supporting eight dependents, including five children.
The controversial preacher is also said to be suffering from the lingering effects of “long Covid,” which has impacted his overall health.
Magistrate Faezahnoor Hassan then set bail at RM4,500 in one surety and fixed April 29 for the next case mention and the submission of documents.
Zamri, who police previously said had fled to Thailand, had denied “running away”, insisting that he would personally meet Inspector-General of Police Khalid Ismail if necessary.
Claiming trial
Separately, Arun, 56, claimed trial to a charge under the same section of the law before the Magistrates' Court in Jawi, Nibong Tebal.
The activist, whose real name is Arumugam Dorasamy, is alleged to have committed the offence via a video on his Instagram account, @arun_dorasamy, at about 3.45pm on March 12 last year at Ikea Batu Kawan, Penang.
The Star also reported that Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) M Kulasegaran was spotted at the court complex in Penang.
Arun, who was represented by lawyers T Gunaseelan, Balwant Singh Purba, and Dickson Eng, posted bail after magistrate Nurul Ainna Ahmad set the amount at RM5,000 in one surety.
Deputy public prosecutors Nazran Sham and Airina Syazreen Zainurin requested the bail amount.
The magistrate set June 22 for the handover of documents. - FMT
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