He also said its contents “may confuse Muslim readers of weak faith”.
Asked during cross-examination by lawyer Sangeet Kaur Deo, representing Yeoh, whether non-Muslims should be prevented from discussing their religions in public, he said: “What I’m saying is that this country has laws, and my suggestion is that this book should be restricted to Christian readers only”.
Kamarul also argued that the book should have been classified under the “religion” category at bookstores.
Sangeet then pointed out that Yeoh’s book was about her personal journey. She said the National Library had categorised it under the tabs “Yeoh, Hannah, 1979”, “Women politicians – Malaysia”, and “Malaysia – politics and government”.
However, Kamarul insisted that the book was more than just a personal account.
Sangeet: Do you agree that this book, since it is about a personal journey, does not amount to a proselytisation of her faith?
Kamarul: I don’t agree.
Sangeet: In your view, are Muslims easily influenced to change their faith?
Kamarul: The overall content of the book could influence (Muslim readers to do so).
Sangeet: I put it to you that it is you who undermine the intellect of Muslims in this country.
Kamarul: I don’t agree.
Yeoh filed her suit in 2022 over the content of two documents Kamarul authored: an article titled “Hannah Yeoh contoh hipokrasi terbesar DAP di Malaysia” (Hannah Yeoh, the biggest example of DAP hypocrisy in Malaysia) and a police report he lodged against her, which he published on Facebook five years earlier.
She claims Kamarul had in both documents accused her of “proselytising Christianity through her politics”, driving a “Christian agenda” and “intending to convert Malaysia into a Christian country”.
She says the words were offensive, entirely untrue, and a malicious attempt to defame her.
Kamarul denied that the contents of the article and the police report were defamatory of Yeoh. He says his comments were based on excerpts from Yeoh’s book, and that they were factual in nature, and true.
The trial before Justice Aliza Sulaiman continues tomorrow.