Polemics on Zakir Naik could invite extremist threats - academic

If not handled wisely, the polemics surrounding Islamic preacher Dr Zakir Naik could invite extremist threats to the country, an academic has warned.

According to Universiti Malaysia Perlis's (Unimap) Malaysian Research Institute of Strategic Studies (Myriss) director Mohd Mizan Mohd Aslam (above), the issue provided space for extremist groups to acts outside the confines of the law.

The Malaysian government, he said, should take heed of past threats such as that by Kumpulan Militan Malaysia (KMM) and Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) when the then government failed to adequately address certain religious issues.

“We’ve seen threats with sharp weapons, live ammunition, red and black paint and threatening letters. Extremist groups await the time to carry out any form of attack when Islam and Malays are under threat in this country.

Mizan told Malaysiakini that the authorities should be fair by also investigating those, including ministers, also alleged to have insulted Islam, the Malays, the royal institution and even the armed forces.

"The government cannot be selective (in taking action). If speedy action is taken against Zakir and Zikri Armstrong (on his tweet) the government is also asked to act fast on the police reports lodged against many others for insulting Islam, the Malays and the royal institution,” Mizan said.

“[...] today, the issue of religion, race and monarchy are big models for extremists to carry out attacks if given opportunity and space,” he said.

Even so, Mizan said the recent discord in the country would not have taken place had it not been for the racial and religious polemics brought on by Zakir.

“His flow of thought goes against that of the majority of the citizens here. He is a brother of the faith (Islam) but his preaching method is not suitable for this country.”

Yesterday, Zakir apologised for causing hurt to non-Muslims in Malaysia in the course of a recent speech in Kelantan. Even so, the Indian-born preacher maintained he was not racist and that his words were taken out of context.

He is being investigated by Bukit Aman over controversial statements made against Hindu and Chinese Malaysians.

The remarks were alleged to have been made at a dialogue hosted by the Kelantan state government at the Kelantan state government building in Kota Bharu on Aug 8.

The remarks led to renewed calls for the preacher, who is a Malaysian permanent resident (PR), to be deported to India or for his PR to be revoked.

He is wanted in his home country India over several criminal charges including money-laundering but has always maintained his innocence. - Mkini