Officers from Bukit Aman will be in Penang on Sep 11 to question two DAP lawmakers over their comments on preacher Dr Zakir Naik.
This was confirmed by Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy and Bagan Dalam assemblyperson Satees Muniandy today.
"They will see me at 9am and Satees at 11 am in Komtar," Ramasamy told Malaysiakini.
"These statements will be recorded in response to the two police reports against me and one police report against Satees by the fugitive preacher Zakir from India.
"One officer from the Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department will be in Penang with other officers."
Ramasamy said yesterday that he was ready to assist with police investigations, saying "we don’t run away from the law in Malaysia, not like the fugitive Zakir."
Zakir had filed a police report against Ramasamy, Satees and three others – Human Resources Minister M Kulasegaran, Klang MP Charles Santiago and former ambassador Dennis J Ignatius – for alleged defamation.
This came after the controversial preacher kicked up a storm with a speech last month, during which he suggested that Indian Malaysians were more loyal to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and referred to Chinese Malaysians as "old guests."
Zakir (photo) has since apologised, but claimed his remarks were taken out of context.
Satees, meanwhile, told Malaysiakini he is ready to cooperate with authorities and assist them in their investigations.
"None of us will run away from the cops, or from Malaysia. We will face the law in our own country," he emphasised.
Satees questioned, however, what authorities are doing on deteriorating race relation in the country.
"Those who insult people’s ethnicity and religions are still roaming free, and sowing more discord.
"While we are celebrating the nation’s 62nd Independence Day, we have people and organisations openly playing up racial issues.
"What are the cops doing about it?" he asked.
Just last week, Satees pointed out, another preacher was let off scot-free after allegedly insulting other religions.
"What is the signal the authorities are sending? That it’s okay to insult religions in this multi-religious society? That one will be accorded VIP treatment after doing so?
"Avoiding the question will not resolve the problem. The government should do the right thing to restore people’s trust in its ability to make Malaysia a model nation for racial, religious tolerance," he said. -Mkini
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