Kelantan PAS deputy commissioner III Mohamed Fadzli Hassan (photo, above) said his party was not trying to benefit politically when it hosted Muslim preacher Zakir Naik in a series of events in Kota Bharu last week.
Fadzli said the three-day programme was intended to gain religious knowledge.
"He is an independent preacher. When he came he didn't make any statements declaring support for our party. What is there to gain (for PAS)?
"He praised Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the federal government a few times and we had no qualms," he told journalists after the state exco meeting at Kompleks Kota Darulnaim in Kota Bharu today.
He was responding to claims that PAS had political motives in organising the events featuring Zakir.
Fadzli, who is also the state exco in charge of human development, education, higher education and science and technology, said Zakir's ceramah was consistent with the PAS-led Kelantan government.
"When we invite Zakir to give a religious talk, it is consistent with the Kelantan government because our spirit is that of religion.
"Those who attended were not only PAS supporters but there were also many from Umno. There were also fans from Pakatan Harapan.
"How does that benefit PAS politically? Where is the benefit?" he asked.
Fadzil said supporters also wanted to express solidarity with Zakir over attempts to have him extradited to India.
Zakir, who is wanted by authorities in India on money laundering charges, has a permanent citizen residency in Malaysia.
Mahathir has baulked at suggestions to extradite him, expressing concern that he won't receive a fair trial.
However, the prime minister had said he was open to sending Zakir to a country that is willing to accept him.
Zakir's ceramah last week had caused controversies due to comments he made about minorities in Malaysia.
During one of the events, Zakir had suggested that Hindu Malaysians were moresupportive of the Indian prime minister Narendra Modi than Malaysian prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
He later explained that his comment was taken out of context and that he was speaking in the context of Hindu Malaysians supporting Modi to have him extradited, instead of Mahathir who has defended him.
During the same event, Zakir had also said if he is to be sent out of the country, so should the Chinese who are "old guests" in Malaysia. - Mkini
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