Zamri Vinoth to stand trial in April 2027 after representation rejected

A KUALA LUMPUR Magistrates’ Court has fixed April 21 and 22, 2027 for the trial of independent preacher Zamri Vinoth after the prosecution rejected his representation seeking a review of the charge against him.

Magistrate Faezahnoor Hassan fixed the two-day trial dates during proceedings today after Deputy Public Prosecutor Nur Farhana Mohamad Poad informed the court that the representation had been rejected.

The charge against Zamri, 42, relates to an alleged statement on his Facebook account that could cause public alarm and encourage members of the public to commit an offence against public order. It is linked to his role as coordinator of the Gerakan Anti Rumah Anutan Haram (GARAH) rally, but the rally itself is not the charge.

On March 17, Muhammad Zamri Vinoth Kalimuthu pleaded not guilty to the charge under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code.

The charge alleges that the statement, posted on his Facebook account, ‘Zamri Vinoth’, could cause public alarm and encourage members of the public to commit an offence against public order.

The statement was allegedly viewed and heard by a 45-year-old man at a nasi kandar restaurant on Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman here at 12.22pm on Feb 3.

Section 505(b) provides for imprisonment of up to two years, a fine, or both upon conviction.

“Today is set for the decision on the representation and the representation has been rejected,” Nur Farhana said.

Defence lawyer Nur Shafiqah Shafiyah Omar, who represented Zamri, then applied for the court to fix trial dates.

Speaking to reporters after the proceedings, she said the representation had sought a review of the charge, including the possibility of reducing it.

“We submitted the representation to ask the prosecution to review the case, including whether there was a possibility of reducing the charge or anything of that nature. So, when it was rejected, we will proceed with the trial,” she said.

Zamri, meanwhile, said he was grateful and viewed the rejection positively, saying the trial would give him an opportunity to publicly explain issues surrounding the GARAH rally.

“When the representation is rejected, this means I have an opportunity to explain the GARAH rally so that the people and society understand the struggle we are carrying forward.

“Whatever the outcome, we will continue to stand together with the rule of law and hope that justice can be upheld for all parties,” he said. - September 18 2026