Zakir Naik: Indian authorities can come probe me here

Islamic preacher Zakir Naik said he was willing to be questioned by investigators from India on "neutral ground" such as Malaysia.

He said that if he were to be questioned in India, he would be subjected to "torture".

"If I go there, they will torture me... They have done that to other Muslims. I have proof.

"If you want to question me (do it at a) live press conference, anywhere in the world. Why (do they) want me to come to India?

"If they want then they can come here to talk. If you want face-to-face, then come over here. Come to the neutral ground," he told reporters in Kuala Lumpur today.

He said that he had already offered the Indian authorities an interview through video conferencing systems or phone.

As this was turned down, it showed the India had "double motives" in requiring him to return to India.

Interpol red notice

Zakir, who spoke at a dialogue organised by Malay rights pressure group Perkasa earlier today, was the subject of a non-bailable warrant issued by Mumbai's Prevention of Money Laundering Act court.

India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) is seeking an Interpol red notice against Zakir.On NIA's plans, Zakir said his lawyers were prevented from arguing against the warrant in India and it was wrong to pursue the Interpol red notice.

"Now, they will try to put us on Interpol. We should have our own Islamic Interpol," said Zakir, who was visibly irate.

Zakir has been a frequent visitor of Indonesia and Malaysia of late and is believed to be based in Saudi Arabia.

Several Malaysian activists have filed a suit to compel Putrajaya to bar Zakir from entering Malaysia on grounds that his speeches were a threat to national security, harmony and unity.- Mkini