No deportation of Zakir Naik for now - Mahathir

Controversial preacher Dr Zakir Naik will continue to remain in Malaysia for now, according to Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Asked during a press conference in Putrajaya this afternoon if he had changed his mind about deporting the Indian-born preacher, the prime minister replied, "At this moment, there is no change."

Previously, Mahathir said Zakir had crossed the line when he touched on racial politics.

"Religious teachers can preach, but he was not doing that. He was talking about sending Chinese back to China and Indians back to India. That's politics," he had added.

Mahathir also said that Zakir's permanent resident status would depend on the outcome of police investigations into his remarks during a recent ceramah in Kelantan.

In the Aug 8 ceramah, the preacher said those who want him deported because he is a "guest" should instead ask Chinese Malaysians, whom he described as "old guests," to go home first.

He also suggested that Hindu Malaysians were more supportive of Indian prime minister Narendra Modi than Mahathir.

Zakir later claimed those statements were taken out of context and apologised.

Prior to these remarks, Mahathir expressed concern that Zakir would be subject to unfair treatment should he be sent back to India.

The preacher is wanted by authorities in his home country for alleged money laundering.

He claims the allegations are fabricated, and has cited Interpol's refusal to issue a red notice against him as proof of this. - Mkini