[VIDEO] Reveal case updates on Ustaz Syakir Nasoha: civil society groups

KUALA LUMPUR – A total of 62 civil society groups have urged police to take action and reveal investigation updates on reports lodged months ago against controversial preacher Ustaz Syakir Nasoha.

Global Human Rights Federation president S. Shashi Kumar has demanded for the force to provide a response within the next seven days.

“It has been more than 70 days now, and there is still no action taken against the preacher.

“How long would they need to respond since the report was lodged in October?” he told the press today after handing over a memorandum to Inspector-General of Police secretariat ASP Vishvamalar A. Sirosagee in front of Bukit Aman police headquarters.

Representatives from Sarawak were also present during the handover of the memorandum.

In October, 3,000 police reports were lodged nationwide against the preacher, who was seen in a viral video making disparaging racial comments about non-Muslim religions and the Dayak community.

In the one-minute TikTok video, Syakir who said “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.

In addition, Shashi said reports that were made against Muslim preachers who insulted other faiths and religions were often ignored or classified as no-further-action.

“Every time we lodge a police report against preachers or those of Muslim faith who insult other beliefs, they are often swept under the carpet. None of the preachers who made such remarks have been arrested to date,” he said.

He also reiterated calls for the government to table a religious and racial hatred bill in Parliament as soon as possible to uphold the federal constitution.

“Why are they so afraid to table the bill in Parliament? They are only always talking about Timah and stewardess’ uniforms – how is this relevant to the people?

“Why are they not upholding federal constitutions that call for equal protection under law?

“Nothing is wrong with them (preachers) but government is the problem. There is no enforcement on this so the preachers are given the green-light to make those comments and get away without repercussions,” he said.

Elaborating on the matter, he said even the Malaysian Islamic Development Department is not taking responsibility by monitoring their preachers for racist and demeaning behaviour.

The activist also questioned Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s Keluarga Malaysia concept as the inaction against those who make insensitive comments against other races is evidently a discrimination “among his own family members”.

“How do you establish unity and harmony in Malaysia if non-Malays are called infidel (kafir) and ‘pendatang’ all the time?

“Every prime minister comes with a slogan and tagline. If you (Ismail Sabri) are serious about Keluarga Malaysia, act like it. Arrest, detain and charge Syakir immediately.

“We are not asking for money, but only proper harmony among us.” – The Vibes, December 15, 2021

Additional reporting by Isabelle Leong