Zamihan remanded over racial slur

PETALING JAYA: Muslim preacher Zamihan Mat Zin (pic) has been remanded for two days over his speech at a mosque, said Federal CID director Comm Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Najmuddin Mohd.

The Pertubuhan Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah Malaysia (Aswaja) president was remanded for two days until today, Wan Ahmad confirmed when contacted.

Zamihan was arrested on Wednesday at the Dang Wangi police headquarters.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun had earlier said a police report had been lodged against Zamihan and that he would be investigated under the Sedition Act.

In a statement, MCA Youth secretary-general Datuk Leong Kim Soon said the Home Ministry must act against Zamihan’s racist speech against the Chinese community.

“Such remarks are the least expected from one working with a religious authority as people expect religious authorities to encourage goodwill among multiracial Malaysians.

“Any person in his right mind would not shoot off such trash from his mouth,” said Leong.

In a video clip that had gone viral, Zamihan made disparaging remarks against the Chinese by calling them “unhygienic” and accused them of “not washing up after defecating and urinating”.

In light of the Muslims-only laundrette controversy, Zamihan also said the undergarments of non-Muslims would stain the clothes of Muslims.

Zamihan also came under fire for having allegedly criticised the Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar for prohibiting the Muslims-only laundrette from operating in the state.

“His slurs have seriously offended the feelings of the Chinese community and non-Muslims.

“It is feared that his insults have further polarised Muslims and non-Muslims,” said Leong.

He also urged non-Muslims not to be angry at other races and religions due to Zamihan’s remarks but to instead “take this as a lesson to push for interfaith dialogue and to understand the multiracial society which we live in”.