MCA has called on the authorities to monitor religious sermons to prevent a future repeat of the insults to Hinduism, such as that made by Islamic preacher Shahul Hamid that spiced up the Hari Raya holidays.

MCA deputy secretary-general Wee Jeck Seng ( right ) said the authorities should supervise future sermons like Shahul’s, to prevent ‘insensitive’ and ‘uncalled for’ comments that could disrupt the peace of the country.

“As such, I call on the police and related authorities to be more vigorous in monitoring religious sermons as they can be easily misused to create animosity towards other faiths and cultures.” Wee said.

He added that the excuse of the PAS ustaz that the comments were made behind closed doors at a private event was unacceptable.

"Despite his excuse that the insensitive statement was made at a closed-door meeting, the fact of the matter is that he had instilled hatred and racism.

"Thus, action must be taken to show that a closed-door meeting is no excuse to speak against religious harmony," he said.  

The ' curry powder fiasco ' was sparked off when a video clip of the Penang PAS Tanjong division member - who was shown telling Muslims at the closed door event in Shah Alam, not to buy curry powder products from what he deemed as  “Hindu” companies, such as Alagappa's and Baba's, went viral on the Internet.

"If you go to the Alagappa's factory near Permatang Pauh, you will see a statue (of a goddess) at the entrance, and the tongue is out.

"Why is the tongue out? Because the goddess must taste all the curry powder before they sell it," Shahul Hamid says in the video clip.

Wee said the police should look into this matter and take harsh actions against Shahul, whom he said had breached Section 4(a) of the Sedition Act.

“Not only has he affected inter-religious harmony, but his words are also in violation of the Federal Constitution,” the Tanjong Piai MP added.

Gerakan: M'sia no place for bigotry

Section 4(a) of the Sedition Act states that any act with seditious tendency can be charged with a fine not exceeding RM5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, or to both.

Gerakan president Mah Siew Keong ( right ) also lashed out at Shahul’s video, saying the remarks were not only "uncalled for" but also a "disrespectful display of religious bigotry".

“Gerakan strongly condemns this type of behaviour as Malaysia is supposed to be a melting pot of culture and religion.

"Religious bigotry and intolerance must not be allowed to trump equal protection under the law and religion-based prejudices by all means cannot be tolerated to deny justice and equal civil rights,” Mah said in a statement today.

Shahul earlier today publicly apologised for his remarks, vowing not to repeat his offence and pleading with the Indian community and media to publicise his apology.