KUALA LUMPUR, March 17 — Independent preacher Zamri Vinoth was charged in the Magistrate’s Court here today with making statements that sparked provocative debate over religious and racial issues regarding the organisation of a rally in front of a shopping complex in the capital last month.
Zamri Vinoth, 42, whose full name is Muhammad Zamri Vinoth Kalimuthu, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read out before Magistrate Faezahnoor Hassan.
"Understand the charge, plead not guilty," said Zamri, who was in the dock wearing a blue suit.
According to the charge, Zamri Vinoth is accused of posting a statement on his Facebook account, 'Zamri Vinoth' at 12.22 pm on February 3 that could cause public alarm and potentially incite others to commit offences against public order.
The statement was allegedly seen and heard by a 45-year-old man at the Nasi Kandar Kudu Restaurant along Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman.
The charge was brought under Section 505 (b) of the Penal Code [Act 574], which provides a prison sentence of up to two years or a fine or both, if convicted.
The court allowed Zamri bail of RM4,500 with one surety and set April 29 for mention.
The case was handled by deputy public prosecutors Datuk Mohd Nordin Ismail, Izzat Amir Idham and Nur Farhana Mohamad Poad, while Zamri was represented by lawyer Muhammad Hariz Md Yusoff.
