The Malaysian Insight

A FORMER government preacher and Prison Department religious officer today denied criticising the sultan of Johor, saying that he was merely giving his personal views on the need for Muslims to have a separate launderette to keep themselves pure.

In a religious lecture on Sunday in Shah Alam, Zamihan Mat Zin allegedly said it was not the right of Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar to ban Muslim-only launderettes in his state.

Zamihan said today he did not insult the sultan, and defended his right to share his personal views on the need for Muslims to remain religiously “clean” by not having their laundry mixed with those of non-Muslims, whom he termed as “unhygienic”.

“We, as Muslims, should defend our rights and principles. Non-Muslims can use Muslim-friendly launderettes but they have to take heed of our sensitivities,” Zamihan told The Malaysian Insight.

“We are an exemplary Muslim nation, a modern Islamic country and a good example. Why should a Muslim-only launderette be banned? Our prime minister is Muslim, our kings are Muslims, the majority of our people are Muslim, so why does such a launderette need to be shut down and be treated this way?”

Zamihan also welcomed Deputy Home Minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed’s statement that the government will launch an investigation into the incident.

“Firstly, anybody can come and investigate me. I am an honest officer, and I did not criticise or insult anybody in my speech,” he said.

“I was merely explaining my personal opinion, in support of Muslim launderettes to maintain purity.

“In order to fulfil our prayer obligations, we need to be pure. This is my personal comment in my lecture, and I didn’t even mention the Johor sultan. And there were no insulting words at all. In fact, I respect the view of the sultan of Johor,” he said.

Earlier, Zamihan issued a statement urging all political leaders, religious leaders and Muslims to “protect the purity of Islam at all times”.

“I am prepared to be investigated on the principle of courage because of the truth, and out of the fear of Allah.”

He told The Malaysian Insight that the authorities should instead investigate individuals who were threatening the sanctity of Islam and the unity of Muslims.

“I am defending the sensitivities and rights of Muslims, why should I be investigated under the Sedition Act? In fact, there are so many other religious liberals, wrong teachings and those who are anti-hadith. Go and investigate them.”  

He also claimed he was no longer a government officer and was now heading a Muslim organisation, Aswaja.

Yesterday, the Malay rulers endorsed the Johor sultan’s and Perlis raja muda’s decision to forbid Muslim-only launderettes in their respective states, lauding the two monarchs for upholding moderation and inclusiveness.

In a statement, the rulers also expressed their concerns that recent actions in the name of Islam threatened the harmony and unity of Malaysia’s multicultural people. – October 11, 2017.