Two men, controversial preacher Zamri Vinoth and TanahMalaya.com founder Tamim Dahari Abdul Razak, were remanded for two days following a rally protesting the construction of allegedly illegal temples (“kuil haram”) in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, 7 February 2026, police said.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Comm Datuk Fadil Marsus said both were taken into custody after authorities denied permission for the “Anti-Illegal Houses of Worship” rally planned outside Sogo Kuala Lumpur.
Fadil said police had received more than 100 reports ahead of the gathering and had conducted intelligence and security assessments before refusing approval for the assembly. He stated that a total of 131 police reports had been lodged in relation to the planned rally.
According to police, at around 8 PM on Saturday, officers detected approximately 100 individuals assembled in front of the Sogo complex demanding action over alleged encroachment linked to the construction of a kuil haram and a place of worship built without approval.
Police subsequently detained 19 individuals believed to be participants in the gathering, including 15 men and four women, all Malaysians aged between 30 and 64. Most were later released after their statements were recorded.
Authorities said Zamri Vinoth and Tamim Dahari Abdul Razak were being held at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters, with investigations initiated under the Sedition Act, the Penal Code, and the Communications and Multimedia Act.
Fadil also said security considerations tied to the official visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had influenced the decision to deny permission for the rally. He rejected allegations that enforcement action had targeted only one group.
He added that three men had also been arrested in Klang for uploading TikTok videos related to the issue, noting that investigations on all sides would proceed simultaneously as the matters were connected.
Fadil emphasised that maintaining public peace and harmony was a shared responsibility. He said that if disputes arose over allegedly illegal places of worship, police would cooperate with court orders and take action in accordance with the law. He warned that any attempt to exploit race, religion, or royalty (3R) sensitivities would be investigated and met with firm action.
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Vinoth had posted on his Facebook about proceeding with the protest despite directions from the government to withdraw.
Translation:
Who Is Zamri Vinoth?
Zamri Vinoth Kalimuthu, aged 41, is of Malaysian Tamil origin and was born a Hindu under the name Vinoth Kalimuthu before converting to Islam. Since his conversion, he has emerged as a polarising Islamic preacher known for making inflammatory remarks about Hindu beliefs and practices.
He is widely described as a follower of fugitive islamic preacher Zakir Naik, who has been granted asylum in Malaysia. Zamri has previously pledged to renounce his Malaysian citizenship if Naik were extradited to India.
History of Controversies
Zamri’s record includes multiple run-ins with the law and public outrage:
2019 Arrest: Malaysian police detained him after derogatory remarks about Hinduism triggered 867 police complaints. He was investigated under Section 298A of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act.
2024 TikTok Videos: He posted videos interpreted as insulting Hindu deities, including Lord Shiva, prompting political leaders to demand action.
2025 Kavadi Mockery: Zamri mocked the Hindu kavadi ritual on Facebook, describing devotees as appearing “possessed and drunk,” drawing condemnation from Malaysian Indian leaders.
‘Kuil Haram’ Campaign: His latest campaign labelled Hindu temples as “illegal” or ‘Haram’ and used derogatory caste slurs such as ‘parya’ (pariah) against Hindus, when he commented on free ferry services for Thaipusam earlier this year. He wrote, “Free land, free temples, free trains, free buses, even free ferries hahaha for him, flights are also free. Even the pariah people in India don’t get free land, you know, so you guys, this illegal temple gang, are even more despicable than the common people, why do you all want free land? Everyone wants to have free food, that’s the basic principle.”
Despite nearly 900 cumulative complaints over the years, critics allege that enforcement action against him has been inconsistent.
Comparison With Firdaus Wong Wai Hung
Observers have drawn parallels between Zamri Vinoth and another high-profile Malaysian convert-preacher, Firdaus Wong Wai Hung who also studied under Zakir Naik, has also faced legal and constitutional scrutiny over his religious activism.
In a landmark judgment, the Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled that a TikTok video by Firdaus Wong encouraging non-Muslim minors to convert to Islam without parental knowledge was unconstitutional and unlawful.
Justice Amarjeet Singh ordered the immediate removal of the video from all platforms, a permanent injunction against similar content, and a payment of RM10,000 in legal costs to eight non-Muslim parents who filed the case.
The controversy stemmed from a June 2024 video in which Firdaus allegedly advised keeping underage conversions secret and unregistered.
Emerging Pattern Of Convert-Preacher Activism
Analysts note that both Zamri Vinoth and Firdaus Wong represent a growing class of high-visibility convert-preachers who leverage social media for religious mobilisation often triggering legal, constitutional, and communal flashpoints.
While Zamri’s controversies centre on anti-Hindu rhetoric and temple protests, Firdaus’ legal battle has focused on conversion outreach, particularly involving minors.
Source: Vanakkam Malaysia & The Star
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