Ti urges Govt not to justify Zamihan’s behaviour

KUALALUMPUR: The Government should not protect controversial preacher Zamihan Mat Zin as his role in helping to deradicalise Islamic State militant detainees did not justify his earlier statements and behaviour, said MCA’s Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker.

“We urge the Government not to justify his behaviour nor defend Zamihan as the person who is able to help the militants, as this will only cause the public to hate the government in power,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Ti, who is MCA Religious Harmony Bureau chairman, said the Government must not protect Zamihan as it will only backfire on the Government and give the Opposition the chance to justify that Zamihan is indeed protected by certain “godfathers”.

“What is wrong is wrong and we cannot justify it just because he is an expert in deradicalising militants,” he added.

“Zamihan’s behaviour was evident he did not understand the meaning of living in a multi-ethnic country.

“He must be replaced by someone else who understands the meaning of living in a multi-ethnic country,” he said.

On Friday, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Zamihan was conducting a rehabilitation programme for IS militants at the Tapah prison in Perak.

Dr Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister, said Zamihan’s expertise was still needed in this area although the Selangor government prohibited him from giving ceramah in the state.