Justifying preacher Zamihan Mat Zin's behaviour may affect the federal government's standing, warned MCA religious harmony bureau chief Ti Lian Ker.

"We urge the government not to justify his behaviour nor to 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," said Ti in a statement today.

He said that Putrajaya must not protect Zamihan as the opposition parties will take advantage of the situation to claim that the preacher was protected by certain "godfathers". 

"He must not be shielded. What is wrong is wrong and we cannot justify it just because he is an expert in deradicalising militants," said Ti.

Earlier this week, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi described Zamihan as an asset to the country because he was an expert in deradicalising suspected terrorists.

Zamihan has been under fire from the Selangor and Johor palace after his rant against an unnamed ruler's objection to the Muslim-exclusive launderette in Johor.

He later courted controversy by offering some criticism over the decision by Taman Free School surau to admit non-Muslim flood victims. 

Ti said Zamihan should be "rehabilitated" first before he is allowed to work on the  deradicalisation of suspected terrorists.

"It was said that his expertise is to work and help deradicalise the militants but I think we should hire someone else.

"Someone with no prejudice against other religion or race. Someone who understands the meaning of living in a multi-ethnic country," he said.

Ti said Zamihan's conduct does not reflect someone who is capable of deradicalisation efforts as he has shown disrespect to the Malay rulers.