‘STOP THE BASELESS ATTACKS ON MAZNAH’

by : Alfian ZM Tahir

Dog trainer's lawyers say the statement by a deputy minister against her was mischievous, baseless and prejudicial.

PETALING JAYA: Lawyers for dog trainer Maznah Mohd Yusof, also known as Chetz, today slammed the deputy minister of Communications and Multimedia, Jailani Johari over his statement yesterday that Maznah required rehabilitation by Jakim as she was morally defective.

Lawyers Latheefa Koya and NSurendran said that Jailani’s statement was mischievous, baseless and prejudicial to Maznah’s legal rights as a person under investigation.

“We are shocked that the deputy minister made a public attack upon the conduct and morals of a private individual. By this statement, the authorities are continuing their unjust attacks and propaganda against Chetz Yusof,” the lawyers said.

They added that the campaign orchestrated by the authorities and pro-Umno newspapers was a cowardly and disgraceful action against a helpless woman.

Both lawyers said the PM’s Department and Jakim should realise that Maznah has yet to be found guilty for any offence both by the civil or syariah courts.

“It appears that the various ministries and Jakim are acting as ‘ judge, jury and executioner’, without giving Chetz the basic right to defend herself. They are also encroaching upon the functions of the judiciary by condemning Chetz publicly without due process or trial,” they said.

“This spirit of intolerance and bigotry is unacceptable and un-Malaysian,” they added.

Both lawyers also demanded the Ministry of Communication and Multimedia and Jailani Johari to immediately withdraw their prejudicial and defamatory remarks against Maznah.

Maznah was arrested last Wednesday following a public outcry over a three-year-old YouTube video showing her bathing her dogs and wishing viewers Selamat Hari Raya.

The video went viral on social media, sparking protests among many Malays, who perceive the video as “insulting” to Muslims.

Maznah has since clarified with the media that her intention was not to insult Muslims and Islam, but to remind them to celebrate Hari Raya with animals as well as humans.

The video which lasts 1 minute and 44 seconds, shows, Maznah strolling near a mosque with three dogs whilst the takbir raya playing in the background. Maznah was released on a court bond on Friday. (FMT)