Why no charge against Zakir Naik student for insulting Hindus, NGOs ask AG

A group of NGOs have urged Attorney-General Tommy Thomas to explain why no charges have been made against preacher Muhammad Zamri Vinoth Kalimuthu (photo, above), who allegedly insulted Hinduism.

Zamri, who is a protégé of controversial preacher Zakir Naik, was arrested in Perlis in April after police reports were lodged against him over a sermon uploaded onto the internet that was deemed "blasphemous" to Hinduism.

He was investigated under Section 298A of the Penal Code for causing disharmony on grounds of religion, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for misuse of network services.

The NGOs, led by activist Arun Dorasamy, demanded Thomas explain if Zamri was being accorded special privileges, which has resulted in the AG's Chambers' alleged inaction.

"If the AGC decides not to charge, we, the complainants, would like to know the reasons for such a decision," the group wrote in its memorandum.

The memorandum, reportedly signed by 41 NGOs, was received by Thomas' aides at the AGC in Putrajaya today.

When contacted, Arun said he was promised a reply on the matter by Monday.

He said if there is no reply by that day, the group will take the matter to de facto law minister Liew Vui Keong on Wednesday, and will also submit another memorandum to the Prime Minister's Department on Friday.