KUALA LUMPUR — Independent preacher Zamri Vinoth was not barred from leaving the country, the Magistrate’s Court was told today.
His lawyer, Muhammad Hariz Md Yusoff, said the 42-year-old had never been served with a notice under Section 111 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which would have required him to present himself to the police for questioning.
He argued that in the absence of such notice, Zamri was under no legal restriction to travel abroad.
“There was no communication at all indicating that he is a wanted man, or that an impending charge would prevent him from travelling overseas,” he said, as reported by NST.
Zamri had earlier been alleged to have fled to Thailand. However, his legal team clarified that he had travelled for a business trip on March 9 and returned on March 11.
He later pleaded not guilty at the Magistrate’s Court today to a charge of making statements that could cause public harm.
The charge was framed under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, which concerns statements made with intent to cause, or likely to cause, fear or alarm to the public. The offence carries a penalty of up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both upon conviction.
In a separate development in Penang, activist Arun Doraisamy also pleaded not guilty at the Jawi Magistrate’s Court.
The 56-year-old claimed trial after the charge was read out before Magistrate Nurul Aina Ahmad, according to NST.
He was similarly charged under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code over a statement posted on his Instagram account.
In the statement he wrote, “If this is how the police or the government are going to treat the Hindus, we have no other choice. We will take it to the streets. We are forced to take it to the streets.”
“I am looking for robust action from the authorities. Otherwise, as activists, we will take it to the streets. When, where, and how remains open-ended and is a challenge to the authorities.”
The statement was reportedly seen and heard by Nor Al Firdaus Nor Al Huda at a shopping centre in Batu Kawan at about 3.45pm on March 12, 2025.
The act is alleged to have been committed with the intention of causing public alarm, which could incite others to commit offences against public tranquillity.
State prosecuting director Datuk Nazran Mohd Sham led the prosecution alongside Deputy Public Prosecutor Airina Syazreen Zainurin.
Arun was represented by counsels T. Gunaselaan, Balwant Singh Purba, and Dickson Ng.
The prosecution requested bail to be set at RM5,000 with one surety, which was accepted by the defence. — March 17, 2026