Independent preacher Zamri Vinoth denies charges over statements that sparked racial and religious debate regarding a rally organisation
KUALA LUMPUR: Independent preacher Zamri Vinoth pleaded not guilty in the Magistrate’s Court here today to making provocative statements regarding the organisation of a rally.
The 42-year-old, whose real name is Muhammad Zamri Vinoth Kalimuthu, was charged with making statements that sparked debate over religious and racial issues concerning a rally held in front of a shopping complex last month.
He entered his plea after the charge was read before Magistrate Faezahnoor Hassan.
“Understand the charge, plead not guilty,” said Zamri, who appeared in the dock wearing a blue suit.
Zamri has been charged with posting a statement on Facebook that could cause public alarm and incite offences against public order.
The charge alleges he made the post on his “Zamri Vinoth” account at 12.22 pm on Feb 3.
The statement was allegedly seen by a 45-year-old man at the Nasi Kandar Kudu Restaurant on Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman.
The charge was brought under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, which carries a penalty of up to two years in prison, a fine, or both upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutors Datuk Mohd Nordin Ismail, Izzat Amir Idham and Nur Farhana Mohamad Poad handled the case.
Zamri was represented by his lawyer, Muhammad Hariz Md Yusoff.
Mohd Nordin Ismail requested the bail amount, stating it was reasonable given the circumstances.
He informed the court that over 100 police reports had been filed against the accused up to 3 February.
“This is what we say is a matter causing public alarm. The bail amount is not a constraint for the accused, but we leave it to the court’s discretion,” he said.
Defence counsel Muhammad Hariz Md Yusoff requested a minimal bail amount, arguing his client attended court voluntarily and was not arrested.
“My client never received any notice requiring him to go to the police station to give a statement or to face charges until he was barred from leaving the country,” he said.
The lawyer stated that Zamri Vinoth went to Thailand on 9 March not to flee, but to manage a couple’s wedding arrangements.
He returned to Malaysia on 12 March, one day before Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohd Khalid Ismail issued a media statement.
Judge Suzana Hussin set bail at RM10,000 with one surety and fixed 21 April for mention.
She also ordered the accused to surrender his passport to the court.
Muhammad Hariz argued that his client, Zamri Vinoth, has legitimate reasons for travelling to Thailand.
He stated that in the absence of any evidence to the contrary, Zamri is entitled to go anywhere as he runs a business there.
“For the record, my client’s border pass and passport show he has been travelling to Thailand since 2017 to manage marriage registrations for individuals or couples,” Hariz said.
He clarified this was a cooperation between the Songkhla Islamic Council in Thailand and the Perlis Islamic Council, and also involved running a used goods business requiring trips to manage stock.
The lawyer said he left the matter to the court’s discretion, emphasising that the purpose of bail is solely to ensure the accused’s attendance in court. He argued it should not impose an excessive burden on him.
“At this stage, we are not touching on the merits of the case as that will be decided by the court during the trial. The court is only setting bail to secure the accused’s attendance,” Hariz added.
He also highlighted that his client’s presence in court was voluntary and cooperative.
“Furthermore, my client’s attendance in court today is not because he was arrested by the police or any authority, but he came voluntarily with full cooperation to face the charge and clear his name through the court process,” he said.
Media previously reported that investigations into the independent preacher, concerning his statement at a gathering on 7 February, had been referred to the Attorney General’s Chambers.
