Five groups have banded together to file a judicial review over the attorney-general and inspector-general of police’s decision to not prosecute controversial preacher Syakir Nasoha for his allegedly inflammatory remark against the non-Muslims in two separate videos.
The groups included Global Human Rights Federation (GHRF) president S. Shashi Kumar, Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak president Bobby William, Sarawak Association for People’s Aspiration president Ng Kim Ho, Ex-Students of Chinese Schools vice-president Chan Tuck Loong and Pertubuhan Malaysia Tamilar Munnetra Kalagam president K Sri Ramesh.
The application was filed at the high court on 15 September through Messrs Gunaseelan & Associates and the case management is set for 1 November. The group demanded a declaration that the refusal to act against Syakir was unlawful and an abuse of power on the part of the police and the AG.
In addition, they are seeking an order of mandamus to compel the authorities to act against the preacher and a declaration that the AG’s decision was arbitrary and violated Article 8 of the federal constitution.
The group also claimed that the AG had failed to carry out his duties as required under Article 145 of the federal constitution.
Case classified as NFA
This came after a Shashi got a reply from Bukit Aman’s D5 unit under the Special Crime Division on 17 June saying that the investigation paper had been submitted to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) on 13 December 2021, but was closed and classified as “No Further Action” (NFA).
“But here they (AGC and police) are only talking about one video which is enough to convict Syakir Nasoha under the Sedition Act. What about the other three videos?” Shashi was quoted as saying.
He said the videos by the controversial preacher were propagating racism, fanaticism and extremism that threatens racial harmony and national unity.
Nonetheless, this is not the first case of Muslim preachers making insults and defamatory speeches regarding the non-Muslims that were classified as NFA. In the past, police reports were also lodged against preachers Zamri Vinoth Kalimuthu and Firdaus Wong Wai Hung, and Idris Sulaiman.
Meanwhile, Shashi said the group had submitted a memorandum to Bukit Aman, the Attorney-General’s office, the Islamic Development Department (Jakim), the Prime Minister’s Office, and Istana Negara but they have yet to receive any response.
Last October, Syakir claims that non-Muslims will be scrambling together to kill Muslims in the world. He also specified that the disciples of Hindus, Buddhists, and Dayaks were among those who want to annihilate Muslims.
In his defence, Syakir said that his remarks were ‘taken out of context‘ as his sermon was more than an hour long.
