KUALA LUMPUR – The defamation case initiated by Islamic preacher Zamri Vinoth against activist Arun Dorasamy saw a witness claim rape in her testimony.
According to the notes of proceedings, the alleged victim is a 26-year-old Muslim convert called to testify for the defence on Arun’s alleged defamation that included calling Zamri a rapist.
She was called to testify for the defence on May 10 regarding details mentioned in her police report, which was filed six years ago at the Seremban police station.
In her police report, which was one of the documents tendered to the court, the witness alleged that she was invited by Zamri to have lunch on the afternoon of March 9, 2018, after which the preacher brought her back to his home in Rahang.
“He (Zamri) told me to follow him home because his wife and child were away. I watched television while waiting for him to shower.
“After he showered, he joined me to watch television and he proceeded to rape me in his living room,” she said in her police report.
During the examination-in-chief by Arun’s lawyers on May 10, the witness affirmed that the details in her police report were true, adding that she had not retracted it.
However, during cross-examination, the witness affirmed that she had informed the investigating officer about retracting her police report.
On the stand, the witness explained that after filing the police report, authorities took her to the hospital for further investigations. However, she received no updates from police after that.
Asked whether the case was classified as “no further action,” the alleged victim said she believed investigations were ongoing.
She also said she was threatened by Zamri after filing the report.
However, Zamri’s lawyers attempted to refute the alleged victim’s testimony, suggesting their client made no threats as the witness did not file a report over the threats.
During cross-examination, the plaintiff’s lawyers also suggested the rape did not take place as the alleged victim proceeded to go to work after the medical inspection, adding that she did not have the medical report in her possession.
They also proposed that the alleged victim’s claims were untrue as she did not scream for help during the incident, given that Zamri had neighbours who could have heard her cries.
Then, during re-examination, the alleged victim explained that she did not file a report against the alleged threats by Zamri because the preacher was well connected to VIPs and the Perlis mufti.
“Because I feared for my safety, I did not file a police report,” the alleged victim testified.
The alleged victim also said she did not scream for help as she was scared during the alleged rape.
On September 10, 2019, Zamri filed his action against Arun, accusing the activist of making defamatory statements against him on social media.
Among other things, Zamri said statements made by Arun suggested that the preacher committed several crimes such as assault, criminal breach of trust and rape.
During the hearing, Arun was represented by lawyers Rajesh Nagarajan, Sachpreetraj Singh and Pavitra Loganathan while Norazali Nordin and Syahidah Hanum represented Zamri.
The hearing was presided over by high court judge John Lee Kien How @ Mohammad Johan Lee.
The court has set July 3 for the first round of written submissions and July 12 for oral submissions and its decision. – June 19, 2024