KUALA LUMPUR: 60 multiracial civil society groups jointly surrendered a memorandum to the police, questioning the delay in arresting Muslim preacher, Syakir Nasoha after at least 5,000 police reports were lodged against him.
The preacher had allegedly insulted non-Muslims in an online video sermon he gave to an audience more than two months ago.
Leading the NGO groups, Global Human Rights Federation president S. Shashi Kumar who spoke to reporters outside Bukit Aman today said the groups were disappointed with the inaction by police.
He said Shakir made inciteful statement about the non-Muslims claiming that believers of other religions besides Islam were dangerous and a threat to Islam and the Muslims.
"We demand an explanation on why the police have not arrested the preacher despite having received 5,000 reports against him yet. It has been more than 70 days since the matter was reported yet no action is taken.
"What are the authorities such as the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) doing about it. They seem to be keeping mum about it," he said.
"Almost daily there are preachers calling the non-Malays 'pendatang' and 'kafir,' but no one is doing anything to stop this racism," Shashi Kumar claimed.
"We, representatives from 62 multiracial NGOs also want the government to table the anti-racism and religious law," he said.
Shashi Kumar said this must be done as soon as possible to curb similar insults from happening, alleging it had become rampant.
It was earlier reported that the preacher is being investigated under Section 505(c) of the Penal Code for making statements with the intent to incite or that which is likely to invite any class or community of persons to commit any offence against any other class or community of persons and also Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1988 for abuse of internet facilities or network services.