KUALA LUMPUR – The Unity Ministry does not have the authority to take legal action against Moroccan influencer Abdellatif Ouisa despite inciting public outrage over videos of him reciting Quranic verses on idolatry at Batu Caves and other temples in Malaysia.
Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang told Scoop that he welcomed the public to lodge reports on Abdellatif’s contentious behaviour so that police could take action against him.
“It is good that a police report was made. Let police calm the situation. Our (unity) ministry has no law that we could enforce on him.
“We can only advise the public to not make negative remarks on issues related to the 3Rs (race, religion and royalty),” he said in a WhatsApp message today.
However, Aaron did not offer his views on the influencer’s actions, and whether the ministry deemed it inappropriate or provocative.
Recently, Abdellatif drew controversy in Malaysia after reciting verses of the Quran related to idol worship in front of the statue of Lord Muruga in Batu Caves and a Buddhist temple in Genting Highlands.
His actions sparked anger within the Hindu community, leading to an individual lodging a report at the Sentul police station last night.
In reaction to the outcry, Abdellatif uploaded an apology video on TikTok, citing the influx of hateful messages he had received on social media.
Earlier, Sentul police chief Ahmad Sukarno Mohd Zahari told Scoop that Bukit Aman’s classified crime investigation unit had taken over the investigation into the Moroccan influencer.
Malaysia Hindu Sangam also submitted a “condemnation notice” to the Unity Ministry, urging the government to take stern action to avoid a recurrence. – May 25, 2024