A 34-year-old Muslim preacher was arrested in Perlis on Sunday (April 28) for insulting Hinduism.

The man, identified as Mohammad Zamri Vinoth, an associate of controversial preacher Zakir Naik, was detained by the Perlis Serious Crime (D9) division following several reports lodged against him.

Perlis police chief Senior Asst Comm Datuk Noor Mushar Mohamad said the suspect is being investigated under Section 298A of the Penal Code for causing disunity and spurring hatred among the people and Section 233 of Multimedia and Communications Act for misusing network facilities and services.

"The suspect also has a criminal record. We are investigating the matter further," he said when contacted Sunday (April 28).

Seberang Perai Tengah district police chief ACP Nik Ros Azhan Nik Abdul Hamid also said the police had received 13 reports against the man since Tuesday (April 23).

"According to the complainants, the man, via a 70-second video clip posted on social media, had uttered blasphemous statements against Hinduism that can cause disharmony and it is also against the law," he said.

The reports lodged against the suspect included those under Section 323 of the Penal Code, Section 408 of the Penal Code and Section 376 of the same code.