KUALA LUMPUR – Activists from multi-ethnic non-governmental organisations are continuing to put pressure on the police to arrest preacher Syakir Nasoha over his allegedly disparaging remarks about other religions.
Global Human Rights Federation president S. Shashi Kumar said the preacher is still uploading disparaging videos, despite being under police investigation.
“The police told us not to speak about it as investigations are ongoing and advised the public not to make any speculations.
“But Syakir is still doing it, and doing it deliberately. His latest video was just two days back. Isn’t he breaking the unity and racial harmony among Malaysians?” Shashi said outside the Sentul district police headquarters after lodging a report.
He added that about 1,000 police reports are being lodged nationwide today against Syakir on his racist remarks that can cause unrest in a multiracial and multicultural nation such as Malaysia.
“He said it’s wrong to treat all religions with equal respect. He said we can only respect the individual and not their religion.”
Representatives from the Muslim, Taoist and Dayak community were also present to lodge their reports against the controversial preacher.
“There appears to be is a double standard in law enforcement as we see that he’s not being arrested. We want him to be arrested and charged.
“We want to make Malaysia better. We want to maintain the peace, harmony and unity of the nation,” said Shashi.
President of Malaysia World’s Huaxia Revival Movement Organisation Gooi Sai Kaan echoed Shashi’s calls for the police to act.
“Nobody has the privilege to insult other races or religions. I want police to take immediate action to arrest him without double standards.
“We are all Malaysian citizens, not second-class and third-class citizens. We have the same human rights.”
Meanwhile, Terabai Menua Selangor spokesman Kindy Anak Nyadang, representing the Dayak community, called on Syakir to stop speaking ill of other religions and races.
“There are Muslim people in our Dayak community. We felt offended when the preacher passed remarks about us.
“So please, stop involving other races and religions in your sermons. We just want the police and ministers to investigate and do their job.
“We want justice. This is ‘Keluarga Malaysia’ and those who are in the wrong must be punished, regardless of their race or religion,” Kindy said.
On October 1, a minute-long video of Syakir saying that “at the end of time, disciples of non-Muslim religions will be scrambling together to kill Muslims in the world” made the rounds on social media and WhatsApp. He was allegedly referring to Hindus, Buddhists and Dayaks wanting to annihilate Muslims.
Police reports have since been lodged nationwide since last Sunday, including in Sarawak.
The state’s indigenous community leaders have also questioned why police in Peninsular Malaysia have not arrested Syakir for allegedly inciting racial and religious hatred.
Five days ago, Syakir posted an explanation video after numerous police reports were lodged against him by civil society groups and members of the public.
In his explanation, he claimed that the editing of his video caused the excerpts to be misunderstood. He added that the sermon was only meant for Muslims with no intention of having it recorded or shared with others.
Last Wednesday, Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk Seri Abdul Jalil Hassan had stated that police are investigating the viral video clip.
He advised the public against speculating on the matter, saying that action will be taken against individuals who deliberately threaten public order and security. – The Vibes, October 10, 2021
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