PAS information chief says Hindraf and Siti Kasim are rejecting 'knowledgeable discourse' with the Islamic preacher.
PETALING JAYA: PAS has slammed Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) and lawyer Siti Kasim who today initiated legal action against the government for allegedly offering protection to controversial preacher Dr Zakir Naik.
PAS information chief Khairuddin Aman Razali today called Hindraf and Siti “extreme” for their rejection of “knowledgeable discourse”.
“We know he brings harmonious and scientific discourse. Dr Zakir does not attack any particular party or religion.
“The ones who are extreme are those who oppose this kind of discourse.
“The actions of Hindraf and Siti Kasim are misplaced. They should allow space for knowledgeable discourse without emotion. Rejection of such discourse offered by Dr Zakir is what leads to disharmony.
“I suggest those who are unhappy to meet Dr Zakir face to face to express their views instead of staging an emotional protest,” he told FMT.
Khairuddin was commenting on the lawsuit filed by 19 people, including Hindraf chairman P Waythamoorthy and Siti, against the government today at the High Court registry in Jalan Duta, Kuala Lumpur.
They claim the government is protecting a person who threatens the safety and harmony of the country. As such, they are applying to the court for an injunction to stop Zakir from entering the country.
The lawsuit named Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, the Immigration Department director-general, the National Registration Department director-general, the police chief and the Malaysian government as respondents.
Meanwhile, Perlis Mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin said it was strange that Siti, a Muslim, should wish to have Zakir arrested.
“It would not be strange if they (those opposing Zakir) were non-Muslims or kafir who did not like his preaching,” said Asri on Facebook today.
“Where is the evidence that Dr Zakir is a threat? Is it because there were Hindus who converted to Islam (after listening to him preach) that they are so sensitive, or are there other reasons?”
Waythamoorthy last month sent a letter to Zahid to ask whether it was true that Zakir had been granted permanent resident status in Malaysia.
Waythamoorthy vowed that Hindraf would take legal action if the government failed to reply to his question.
He said that after it was announced that Zakir was scheduled to deliver a sermon in a mosque in Perlis on Feb 10.
Zakir caused a stir here last year for allegedly insulting the Hindu religion.
He is reported to be barred from the United Kingdom and Canada because he is an alleged supporter of the terrorist group, al-Qaeda.
India’s Enforcement Directorate (ED) was reported to have issued a fresh summons to Zakir in connection with its money laundering probe against him.
Times of India quoted officials as saying the agency issued the fourth summons to Zakir, via his lawyer and through email, to cooperate in the probe even as it rejected his plea to depose before investigators via an Internet-based video link from abroad.
It said the officials indicated that the latest summons could well possibly be the last issued to him and the agency may move the courts for an arrest warrant against him if he again chooses to ignore the summons.
The agency wants to question Zakir “in person” given the serious charges of money laundering being investigated against him and others. -FMT
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