Saravanan cancels debate with Zamri, cites national harmony

Summary

• MIC deputy president M Saravanan cancels his debate with independent preacher Zamri Vinoth for the sake of national unity.

• The debate was scheduled for March 23 and followed Zamri's controversial remarks on kavadi-bearers.

• Saravanan urges the authorities to act against Zamri and for the Hindu community to lodge police reports against the preacher.

MIC deputy president M Saravanan has chosen not to proceed with the debate with independent preacher Zamri Vinoth, which was scheduled for March 23.

The Tapah MP emphasised that the decision was made for the sake of national harmony, adding he had a lengthy discussion of the matter with MIC’s top leadership and Putrajaya.

“I’m at peace with my decision and upon advice from National Unity Minister Aaron Ago Dagang, discussions with MIC president SA Vigneswaran, and police, I decided this debate would not proceed for the sake of national unity and harmony," Saravanan (above, right) told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

Yesterday, Aaron expressed hope that the debate challenge involving religion would not be held.

He said a debate which is too focused on religious differences could cause tension and impair relations in Malaysia's multi-religious society.

Previously, Malaysiakini reported that Saravanan set March 23 to debate with Zamri following the latter’s controversial statement, where the preacher had likened kavadi-bearers during Thaipusam as being “drunk or possessed”.

This comes amid investigations into a TikTok video where three Era FM radio presenters were alleged to have mocked the ritual.

The trio have since apologised and were suspended, while the police and MCMC have commenced probes.

Following that, Zamri uploaded a social media post saying, "Uttering vel vel doesn't cause lives to be lost but what happened at the Seafield temple did cause Adib (Kassim) to lose his life".

The statement was believed to be referring to the firefighter who died during a 2018 riot outside a Hindu temple in Selangor.

Take action on Zamri

Saravanan insisted that the authorities should act against Zamri immediately.

"I’m aware and sensitive towards the issue of religion, but can I not have the right to defend my religion when there are those who make wild accusations towards it?

"At the same time, I ask the government and police to take firm action against any party, regardless of race or religion, if they touch on the religion of others.

"We have made police reports against Zamri for years, but there has been no action," the former minister lamented.

Saravanan hoped that no one, especially those from the Hindu community, would take matters into their own hands over this issue.

"But do make police reports so they can take stern action against Zamri.

"I also ask community leaders not to release any statements except to make police reports so the government will be aware of how much the Indian Malaysian community is hurt," he added.

‘Admission of mistake’

Zamri welcomed Saravanan's decision to cancel the debate, which he took as the latter's admission of a mistake.

According to the preacher, Muslims also want peace but would not back down if they are challenged.

"If Saravanan is admitting that he had committed a mistake when he slandered me and announced his withdrawal from the debate, then I welcome his decision.

"We Muslims would answer any challenge, but if the person who challenges us admits to their mistake and withdraws, then we will respect the decision because we want peace," he said on Facebook today.

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