Mohammad Zamri Zinoth, described as a 34-year-old Muslim convert from Penang, was arrested last night by the Perlis Serious Crime Division following several police reports made against him.
An associate of controversial preacher, and very much wanted man in India, Zakir Naik, Zamri Vinoth is accused of inciting hatred and causing disharmony under Section 298A of the Penal Code, as well as another charge pertaining to the misuse of network facilities and services under Multimedia and Communications Act.
After investigating the litany of reports received, police found that members of the public were incensed by a particular speech that he gave at the As-Siddiqin Mosque in the conservative eastern state of Kelantan on December 30, 2018.
Several web pages have since re-posted the speech, initially uploaded by user Kelantan Sunnah Info onto YouTube, and individuals have taken offense to comments made by Zamri Vinoth about the Hindu religion.
One angry Facebook post states that the alleged hate preacher made outlandish claims such as Hinduism have 33 million Gods, which they pointed out was incorrect, insulting and concluded that Zamri Vinoth was ignorant about the religion.
Police report that Zamri Vinoth has an extensive criminal record, including investigations for voluntarily causing hurt, criminal breach of trust, and a rape case.
Concerned netizens have called for those who have watched the video clip to file a report in Zamri Vinoth’s name; however, a post to his Facebook page shows that he has little concern for what might be coming his way, telling his follower that he “did not break any law of the country.”
He also thanked those behind the hoopla for the “free publicity.”
