Malaysian preacher apologises for criticising Sultan's decree against Muslim-only launderette

In video that has since gone viral, Zamihan also made debatable remarks calling Chinese ‘unhygienic’

A Malaysian preacher apologised after being accused of passing remarks criticising a ruling by the Johor Sultan last month that ordered a Muslim-only launderette in the state to halt its discriminatory business practice, the Malaysian media reported.

According to the police, the preacher was being investigated for sedition over his comments. Inspector-General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun said they were collecting statements from witnesses, the Malay Mail said.



Although the Muslim preacher belonging to Malaysia Ahli Sunnah Waljamaah Organisation (Aswaja) non-government organisation issued an apology, he denied condemning Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar over the decree, the New Straits Times reported.

Zamihan Mat Zin made the comments during a religious lecture in Shah Alam on Sunday. A video uploaded on YouTube had showed him criticising a Sultan who had issued orders against a Muslim-only launderette in Muar, Johor, saying it was wrong to do so.

His remarks came after Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed said the Home Ministry would be taking action against him.

In a statement, Zamihan said that he had never mentioned the Johor Sultan by name and spoke out against media reports of the incident, saying they were "clearly malicious and slanderous", the paper reported.

"I am prepared to be investigated based on the philosophy of 'berani kerana benar dan takut kerana Allah' (do what is right and fear only Allah)," he was quoted saying.

He said he respected the Johor ruler, calling him "a people-oriented leader", adding that it was "impossible for me to make statements that are belittling or insulting His Majesty."

"Nevertheless, I offer prayers and apologies to His Majesty if my personal opinion had offended him," he said.



In the video that has since gone viral, Zamihan had also made other debatable remarks, calling the Chinese ‘unhygienic’.

"It is a norm for the Chinese to not wash themselves after defecating and urinating," he said, according to The Star.

"What about menstrual blood in their undergarments? Or what if they hugged a dog, drank alcohol, ate pork," he added.

"It's not that we want to prejudice them. But, the elements of alcohol, dog, pork is all related to them. So, if they want to patronise a launderette, then patronise a normal launderette," he said.

The Johor Ruler had on September 27 ordered the launderette to stop its discriminatory practice with immediate effect, or risk being closed down by him.

"I cannot accept this nonsense. This is Johor, which belongs to Bangsa Johor (Johoreans) and it belongs to all races and faiths. This is a progressive, modern and moderate state," he said. "This is not a Taliban state and as the Head of Islam in Johor, I find this action to be totally unacceptable as this is extremist in nature."

The launderette's owner later apologised for his actions and took down the sign that said it offered its services exclusively for Muslims.

Another launderette in Malaysia, limiting its services to only Muslims, had also been found functioning in Perlis, but it reopened its business to all customers after receiving a visit from the Perlis mufti and the state's crown prince.

Malaysia’s royals, who otherwise rarely intervene in public affairs, said they were worried that the unity and harmony in Malaysia was diminishing due to the recent emergence of racially controversial issues.

"In recent weeks, the actions of certain individuals have gone beyond all acceptable standards of decency, putting at risk the harmony that currently exists within our multi-religious and multi-ethnic society," said the Keeper of the Ruler's Seal Syed Danial Syed Ahmad in a statement.

"The Rulers are of the opinion that the damaging implications of such actions are more severe when they are erroneously associated with or committed in the name of Islam," he added.

This story originally appeared on The Straits Times.