Wanita MCA: Relieve preacher from all posts

PETALING JAYA: Wanita MCA has called for Muslim preacher Zamihan Mat Zin to be relieved of all portfolios he is holding.

The Pertubuhan Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah Malaysia president was arrested on Wednesday and has been remanded for two days to assist in investigation under the Sedition Act over his speech at a mosque.

Wanita MCA chairman Datuk Heng Seai Kie (pic) said the preacher was promoting extremism in Malaysia, a country which boasts a multiracial and multireligious demographic.

“Zamihan is the face of religious bigotry and if left unchecked, this provocateur, with his erroneous disparaging remarks about the Chinese community, can stir up racial tension, jeopardise religious harmony and unity, which could ultimately tear our multiracial communities apart,” said Heng in a statement yesterday.

“Zamihan should be sacked from all portfolios to show the Govern-ment is serious about lowering ethnic tension. Otherwise, he may set a bad precedent for others,” she said.

Heng, who is also an adviser in the Prime Minister’s Department (National Unity and Integration), said Zamihan’s speeches could lead to the radicalisation of Muslims in the country.

“His speeches could also lead to the practice of apartheid, with segregation in the private sector and among policymakers in the federal and state governments and the local authorities,” she said.

Heng said it was timely for all quarters to consider the tabling of the National Harmony Bill, which makes race and religious hate speeches an offence.

“However, Constitutional safeguards on the position of Islam as the religion of the Federation and the special position of the Malays and the natives of Sabah and Sarawak must be retained,” she added.

Heng urged Malaysians to practise self-restraint and not make hate speeches on race and religion.

“(They should also) teach themselves to be respectful and be civil to people of different races and religions,” she said.

Heng praised the quick action of the police in investigating Zamihan for sedition as his speech contained elements of racism as well as criticism against the Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar.

Zamihan allegedly said in a recent video that it was wrong of Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar to prohibit a Muslims-only launderette from operating in the state.

This came after the Johor Sultan said he was unhappy with a “Muslims-only” launderette operating in the state. In the same video, Zamihan described Chinese people as being “unhygienic”.