Hindraf to IGP: We are falsely labelled as extremist

Waythamoorthy asks to meet Khalid Abu Bakar to explain concerns about Zakir Naik and remarks made by Perlis mufti Asri Zainul Abidin.

PETALING JAYA: Indian rights group Hindraf has asked for a meeting with Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar to explain its concerns on the presence of fugitive Indian preacher Zakir Naik in Malaysia.

Its chairman P Waythamoorthy said the police also need to understand the social tensions generated following allegedly seditious utterances by Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin that were recently broadcast over social media.

“We are falsely accused of being an extremist organisation when we are clearly advocating the rights of the minority community as well as freedom of religion and peaceful co-existence in this country,” he said a letter to Khalid today.

“We wish to bring your attention, if those insults as evidenced by what Asri had uttered had come from another community/race, we believe the reaction of the state would have been different.”

He said Hindraf has not received any reply to its previous letters sent to Khalid on Naik and on the remarks made by Asri.

“The public statement of Zakir Naik insulting you and the police force of our country remains in public domain without any action by the royal police force,” he said.

“All our previous letters to you have not been met with any response and hence we see today there is rise in tension between the non-Muslim community and the Muslims,” he said.

He said allegedly offensive utterances by Naik and Asri were not only directed at Hindus, but also the entire non-Muslim population.

He said irresponsible persons have been using social media to hurl “hatred, incitement and insults” at Hindraf and non-Muslims.

“Be that as it may, as the top officer in charge of security of our country, we hold you responsible for the uneasy feeling, racial and religious tension, as you have not acted on our complaints with regards to Zakir Naik and the Perlis mufti,” he said.

He said the inaction had led to non-Muslims having doubts on the integrity of the police and the seriousness of the country in addressing such issues.

“Your inaction has caused serious doubt as to whether our country is at all safe with the free movements of foreign radicals/extremists roaming free in our country,” he added.

Naik is wanted for questioning by the Indian authorities for alleged money laundering and fomenting terrorism, but has been granted permanent residency (PR) by the Malaysian government.

Asri recently posted a poem on Facebook which derided “cow-worshippers”, which angered Hindus. However, the mufti later claimed it was directed at Indian prime minister Narendra Modi for his administration’s alleged treatment of Muslims in India.

Hindraf also later criticised Asri over two old videos showing Asri giving talks in which he allegedly denigrates the Hindu faith. -FMT