PETALING JAYA: Johor's Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has criticised controversial preacher Zamihan Mat Zin and decreed the Johor Islamic Religious Department (JAIJ) to stop its dealings with the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) in relation to his remarks.
Posted on 14 October 2017 - 06:14pm
Last updated on 15 October 2017 - 12:05pm
Last updated on 15 October 2017 - 12:05pm
Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar
"I take him (Zamihan) as an empty vessel without brains," His Majesty said in his speech at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia's (UTHM) 17th convocation ceremony at Batu Pahat, today.
His response came after Zamihan, believed to be a former Jakim officer, had criticised Sultan Ibrahim over the case of a Muslim-only launderette in Muar.
The Johor ruler pointed out that Zamihan was critical of his actions as well as the muftis following their views on the matter.
His Majesty also labelled him a liar for attempting to deny his actions following public outcry.
"It appears that the ustaz is good at lying. How are we to learn from him then?
"After this, just preach in front of a mirror to learn about yourself.
"If he is truly a Jakim preacher, I have no idea where they picked him from and after this, I will direct JAIJ not to waste their time with Jakim," His Majesty added.
A video which has since gone viral had shown Zamihan rebuking a "Sultan" for his statement on the Muslim-friendly laundrette which, according to him, had only made the issue bigger.
The video, which had been republished by several media organisations, had also shown Zamihan taking a hit at the Chinese community, deeming them dirty as they do not wash up after urinating or defecating.
In an immediate response, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed said the ministry would probe the matter and take immediate action over the speech.
Zamihan in a statement, last Wednesday, said it was impossible for him to utter words degrading or insulting Sultan Ibrahim, but added that he seeks forgiveness if his words had offended the Sultan.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) director-general Tan Sri Othman Mustapha will be seeking an audience with the Johor Sultan following his Majesty's decree to the Johor Islamic Religious Department (JAIJ) to stop its dealings with the national religious body.
In a brief statement, today, Othman said while he respects the decree issued by His Majesty, he along with Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom will immediately request to seek an audience with the Johor Ruler to clarify the issue involving controversial preacher Zamihan Mat Zin.
The preacher was remanded for two days from Thursday in connection with sedition investigations over his speech and was released today.
http://www.thesundaily.my/news/2017/10/15/sultan-ibrahim-decrees-jaij-stop-dealing-jakim-following-zamihan-video-updated