KUALA LUMPUR: Independent preacher Zamri Vinoth, who was earlier said to have left the country, claimed trial at the Magistrate’s Court here over statements that allegedly sparked provocative debate over religious and racial issues.
The statements were allegedly made in the organisation of a rally in front of a shopping complex here last month.
Zamri Vinoth, 42, whose full name is Muhammad Zamri Vinoth Kalimuthu, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read out before Magistrate Faezahnoor Hassan here yesterday.
“I understand. I plead not guilty,” he said.
According to the charge sheet, Zamri allegedly made a statement on his Facebook account “Zamri Vinoth”, which was seen and heard by an individual at Restoran Nasi Kandar Kudu in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman.
He was accused of making the statement, which could provoke public unrest and instigate people to break public order, on his Facebook account at 12.22pm on Feb 3.
He was charged under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code and faces a maximum two years imprisonment or fine or both, if convicted.
Deputy public prosecutor Datuk Mohd Nordin Ismail offered bail at RM10,000 in one surety, citing the amount as “reasonable”.
“About 100 police reports have been lodged (against the accused) up until Feb 3,” he said.
Zamri’s lawyer Muhammad Hariz Md Yusoff asked for a lower amount as his client had come to the court willingly instead of being arrested.
“My client did not receive any notice requiring him to come to the police station to give his statement or that he was barred from leaving the country,” he added.
The lawyer also said Zamri had gone to Thailand on March 9 to arrange a couple’s marriage solemnisation and returned home on March 12, a day before the Inspector-General Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail had issued a statement that Zamri had fled to the northern neighbour.
Magistrate Faezahnoor allowed bail at RM4,500 in one surety.
The case is fixed for mention on April 29.
In Alor Setar, proceedings against Zamri’s fellow activist Tamim Dahri Abdul Razak at the Langkawi Magistrate’s Court have been postponed to May 17 after the accused failed to appear in court.
Tamim Dahri was also believed to have fled to Thailand but Kedah director of prosecutions Khairul Anuar Abdul Halim told Magistrate Hemy Annerina Haja Mydin that he had been traced to Riyadh, having travelled there via Bangkok International Airport.
Khairul Anuar said more time was needed to secure the presence of the accused, who was scheduled to be charged under Section 295 of the Penal Code.
“We are requesting a new date for the mention of the case on May 17,” he said when contacted by Bernama.
Tamim Dahri was linked to the alleged act of damaging a trisoolam, a sacred symbol in Hinduism, at the former site of the Sri Maha Muniswarar Temple in Langkawi.
The accused is expected to be charged under Section 295 of the Penal Code, which pertains to damaging or desecrating objects held sacred by any religious group with the intent to insult religion.
