PETALING JAYA, Aug 4 ― Deputy Communications Minister Jailani Johari’s description of Maznah Mohd Yusof as “morally defective” has prejudiced investigations on the dog trainer over a video allegedly insulting to Islam, her lawyer argued today.
“It appears that the various Ministries and Jakim are acting as ‘ judge, jury and executioner’, without giving Chetz the basic right to defend herself,” lawyer Latheefa Koya said in a statement today, referring to Maznah by her nickname.
“The Ministry of Communication and Multimedia, PM’s Department and Jakim must realize that Chetz Yusof has not been found guilty of any offence, whether by the civil or syariah courts.”
In a 105-second video reposted on YouTube on Tuesday, Maznah is seen walking and bathing her three dogs as the “Takbir Raya”, or Muslim call to prayer traditionally reserved for the first day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, plays in the background.
The juxtaposition appeared to be a reference to the wudhu, or ablution performed by Muslims before prayer; dogs are also considered ritually unclean by adherents of the predominant faith in Malaysia.
On Friday, the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) adjudged a video to be an insult to Islam and resulted in the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) pursuing investigations against her.
The 38-year-old dog trainer is also being investigated under the Sedition Act and Section 298A of the Penal Code that includes offences of causing disunity on religious grounds.
Yesterday, Jailani suggested Jakim guide and rehabilitate Maznah over the video.
The PKR legal affair bureau chief today warned the deputy minister to retract his statement on threat of legal action, saying it was feeding “unjust attacks and propaganda against Chetz”.
“We demand that the Ministry of Communication and Multimedia and Deputy Minister Jailani Johari immediately withdraw their prejudicial and defamatory remarks against Chetz Yusof,” Latheefa continued.
