PETALING JAYA – PPBM strategist Rais Hussin has defended Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s decision not to deport Indian Muslim preacher Dr Zakir Naik.
Speaking to FMT, Rais said he personally could see no wrong in Naik’s activities and speeches. Deporting him would be akin to deporting Uighur Muslims to China, he said, referring to a request by China for the extradition of 11 Uighur men who entered Malaysia illegally last year from Thailand.
Rais also took issue with criticism of Naik on social media. He said Naik had his own way of articulating his views through debates and Naik’s detractors – those with “a mob mentality” – should debate him rather than asking him to be deported to India.
Naik is wanted by Indian authorities over allegations of money laundering and terrorism. Naik has denied the charges, saying he is a victim of Indian media sensationalising the issue to gain a bigger audience.
Rais also questioned the motives of the Indian authorities whose action, he said, might not be grounded in justice.
He cited a report in The Times of India, in which a judge had criticised the Enforcement Directorate for not taking action against other religious leaders who had criminal charges against them and who had amassed huge amounts of money.
Rais also said that it was unfair of some Malaysians to compare the country’s attempts to bring back convicted killer Sirul Azhar Umar and businessman Low Taek Jho (“Jho Low”) with Malaysia’s stand on deporting Naik to India.
“Sirul was found guilty of murdering Altantuya Shaariibuu, while Jho Low is implicated in grand theft in relation to the 1 Malaysia Development Berhad case. How does that compare to Naik’s comparative debates on religion?”
There was intense media speculation that Naik would be extradited to India, but on Friday, Mahathir said that the government would not deport Naik as he has been granted a Malaysian permanent residency status.
Yesterday, Naik met Mahathir in an unscheduled but brief meeting according to sources. However, it is unclear what transpired during the meeting. – FMT
Ramasamy: Putrajaya must honour extradition agreement on Zakir Naik
The extradition agreement between Putrajaya and India must be honoured with regard to controversial Muslim preacher Zakir Naik, said Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy.
“If India has made an official request for his extradition, then it must be honoured,” he told Malaysiakini this evening.
The two nations had inked the extradition agreement in 2010.
On Wednesday, Indian media reported that the republic’s Ministry of External Affairs had made an official request to Putrajaya for the Indian-born preacher to be deported.
However, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad told the media this morning that Zakir, who has been given Malaysian permanent resident status, would not be deported.
“As long as he is not creating any problems, we will not deport him because he has permanent resident status,” he had said.
However, Ramasamy pointed out that India has made serious allegations against Zakir, accusing him of money laundering as well as inciting communal disharmony and committing unlawful activities.
“There should be no fears of persecution. India is a democratic nation. If Zakir is innocent, he can challenge the allegations in court,” he added.
The DAP leader also said Malaysia had deported others in the past, including those sought by the Sri Lankan government which was done in a clandestine manner.
Ramasamy also asked what if other countries refused to deport criminals sought by Malaysia.
“What if say India refuses to send back an alleged criminal we are seeking and he or she is allowed to seek refuge in that country?
“I am not sure if Zakir has committed any crimes in Malaysia, but he has certainly made hate speeches,” he said.
Kulasegaran wanted him deported in the past
Previously, Human Resources Minister M Kulasegaran had called on the BN government to revoke Zakir’s permanent resident status for making hate speeches.
“He has spoken so much of hate speech in this country and elsewhere. He compares one religion to the other, he criticises another religion. He hurts the feelings of others.
“Malaysia is a multiracial country… and he should respect this. He should not be allowed to stay here… many people were influenced by him to be involved in terrorist activities.
“He should be deported to India to face charges for money laundering and hate speech,” he had said.
Kulasegaran pointed out that if Singapore could ban him, Malaysia should do the same as well.
Malaysiakini is contacting the minister for comment on Mahathir’s latest remarks. – MKINI
FMT / MKINI
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