PM must seriously review Zakir Naik case

In light of recent development, it is time for the Pakatan Harapan government, especially Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, to seriously look into the growing opposition to the presence of controversial cleric Zakir Naik in the country.

To begin with, it is a fact that many Malaysians do not understand what is so special about this fugitive from India who was granted a permanent residence by the BN government in 2012.

Former home minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had never officially responded to queries on why and how Zakir was granted PR. Not that I remember.

However, in 2016, Zahid’s deputy, Nur Jazlan denied that the government has awarded Zakir Malaysian citizenship. 

This comes after Hindustan Times in India reported that Zakir is in hiding in Malaysia where he has obtained citizenship.

"We do not give citizenship automatically unless the person is born in the country to Malaysian parents," Nur Jazlan then told The Star Online.

Nur Jazlan added the preacher is "not an important religious personality" for the Southeast Asia region.

"He is more Indian and South Asia-centric but some of his ideas can be used here; that's why he was awarded the Tokoh Maal Hijrah award," he reportedly said.

Hindustan Times quoted an unnamed source as saying that Malaysia commonly offers citizenships to those it confers awards on.

In 2013, Zakir was conferred the Ma'al Hijrah Distinguished Personality award by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah.

I had never heard of Zakir until he came to Malaysia to speak in 2012. After a year, he was conferred the Ma’al Hijrah Award.

I would like to know what Zakir actually contributed to Malaysia to deserve such a distinguished award within just a year. Other recipients would probably have to slog their whole life to earn the award. I believe there must be more deserving, more distinguished men and women out there who were never honoured in the same fashion as Zakir.

I find it quite impossible to believe that Zakir was given the Tokoh Ma’al Hijrah award because “some of his ideas can be used here”, even though he is "not an important religious personality" as stated by Nur Jazlan.

Why, we have so many Islamic preachers of our own who are equally not important religious personalities. But I have to ask whether none of their ideas can be used here and that is why they were never honoured with the Ma’al Hijrah award.

Or is it because there is something better left unsaid – that Zakir has been particularly generous to Malaysia, or to the BN government specifically, now that he is known to be running a business empire worth more than RM100 million.

Zakir is certainly one smart guy. He came running to Malaysia after he was wanted in his native India to the open arms of Malaysian leaders. Now, Malaysia is known the world over as harbouring a fugitive, a money launderer, a hate monger and also an alleged supporter/funder of terrorism.

This is exactly the kind of incident in Malaysia which I want no part of as a citizen. I can state here for a fact that many of my fellow Sarawakians, including Malay-Muslims, are very malu to be associated with Zakir in any way or his activities in the country.

It is now confirmed that the noted hate preacher is on the persona non grata list in Sarawak. It’s well and good in this case that leaders in Sarawak and Putrajaya are not on the same page when dealing with Zakir.

This is also a glaring example of how Kuching and Putrajaya are poles apart. What is okay to Malaya is not okay for us in Sarawak. Perhaps it’s time for both sides to stop pretending that there are no fundamental differences. And perhaps, it’s also time to go separate ways.

What is more sickening, in my opinion, is that Harapan leaders continue to put Zakir on a pedestal. Over the past year, the controversial preacher had met the prime minister, the religious affairs minister and the Kedah menteri besar, among others. He has also been giving talks in several local universities. As far as I know, Penang is the only state which does not welcome him.

There are three recent developments surrounding Zakir which the government must seriously take note of. His case must be reviewed urgently.

- India has charged Zakir with money laundering, the BBC reported on Friday. The controversial preacher was alleged to have acquired US$28 million (RM116 million) worth of criminal assets, prosecutors alleged. Indian authorities have also accused him of spreading hate speech and inciting terrorism.

- It was also reported last week that one of his disciples, 35-year-old Muhammad Zamri Vinoth Kalimuthu, was arrested in Perlis for allegedly insulting Hinduism. Several police reports were lodged against Zamri over a sermon uploaded online that was deemed "blasphemous". The Muslim convert is also known to have previous criminal records.

- Two online petitions to Dr Mahathir Mohamad, calling for Zakir’s deportation, had garnered more than 40,000 signatures within a week after they were posted by two Malaysians, including a London-based activist. They started the petition a few days after the Sri Lanka bombings. The petitions are still open.

Does Putrajaya need any more reason to seriously review Zakir's case? Or will the same tune be sung – that Zakir can continue to stay in Malaysia as long as he does not break the laws of the country.

If we wait for him to break the law, it could well be too little too late. Putrajaya, just don’t tell Malaysians later with sighs of regret and remorse that you have not been forewarned.

Remember Sri Lanka!

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FRANCIS PAUL SIAH heads the Movement for Change, Sarawak (MoCS) and can be reached at sirsiah@gmail.com - Mkini