Ti: Preacher should re-read Rukunegara

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker (pic) has taken Muslim preacher Zamihan Mat Zin to task over his "racist" speech, adding that he should re-read the Rukunegara.

The MCA religious harmony bureau chairman was responding to a viral video in which Zamihan reportedly said it was wrong of Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar to prohibit a Muslim-only laundrette from operating in the state.

In the same video, Zamihan, who is Pertubuhan Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah Malaysia (Aswaja) president, labelled Chinese people as being "unhygienic".

The Home Ministry on Tuesday said that it would be investigating Zamihan over the viral video.

Ti said the preacher's "racist lecture", which involved belittling another religion or culture, showed his immaturity.

"Zamihan perhaps has forgotten the words etched in our Rukunegara and his narrow-minded lecture has only made him look immature and ignorant of the true teachings of Islam," he said in a statement on Wednesday.

Ti also praised the Sultan of Johor for speaking out against the spreading of Islam that was not true to its teachings.

"I hope that Zamihan realises his mistakes, asks for forgiveness and retracts his words that challenge the Royal Institution of the country," he said.

In addition, Ti voiced his support for the statement issued by Keeper of the Rulers' Seal Tan Sri Syed Danial Syed Ahmad in which the Malay Rulers had expressed their appreciation for the stand taken by Sultan Ibrahim and the Raja Muda of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail, who stood up to defend the harmony that exists between the Malaysian people.

"I also echo that 'there should be emphasis on all Muslims being tolerant, moderate and inclusive when living in a multicultural society'," Ti said.

Zamihan, in a statement on Wednesday, said that he had also been incorrectly identified as a Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) officer in news reports, adding that the religious lecture he gave at the Masjid Tengku Ampuan Jemaah in Shah Alam on Sunday was given purely in his capacity as Aswaja president.