Dr Zakir Naik described Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy’s ‘apology’ for labelling the Islamic preacher from India as ‘satan’ as half-hearted and not sincere.
The Indian national, who is a permanent resident in Malaysia, was testifying during today’s full hearing of his defamation suit against Ramasamy.
Among the multiple alleged defamatory statements that Zakir is suing over is Ramasamy’s Facebook posting on April 10, 2019, whereby the defendant allegedly called the plaintiff ‘satan’.
Two days later (April 12, 2019), Ramasamy expressed regret over the use of the word ‘satan’ in relation to controversial speaker Zakir.
The media that month reported Ramasamy as expressing regret, rather than an apology, over the use of the word ‘satan’ for Zakir.
During today’s hearing in the High Court in Kuala Lumpur, Zakir testified that he was disinclined to accept Ramasamy’s “apology” because the defendant did not convey it to the plaintiff in person and/or through his (Zakir’s) lawyers.
“At all times, I deny accepting and/or conceding to the defendant’s half-hearted and/or insincere “apology”.
“In any event, the said “apology” (which is denied) only refers to the word ‘Satan’ and not to the remaining defamatory remarks in the said Facebook posting.
Zakir filed two civil defamation suits
Today’s hearing before trial judge Hayatul Akmal Abdul Aziz is in relation to Zakir’s two civil defamation actions Zakir filed against Ramasamy in late 2019.
The first suit was filed on Oct 16, 2019, in relation to Ramasamy’s four statements issued on April 10, 2016; Oct 1, 2017; Aug 11, 2019; and on Aug 20, 2019.
On Dec 30, 2019, it was reported that Zakir filed a second defamation suit against Ramasamy, in relation to the latter’s comments carried by the online news portal The Malaysian Insight on Nov 8.
Ramasamy today was seen looking on from the public gallery in the court as Zakir gave his oral evidence.
Aside from Ramasamy, Zakir has also filed defamation suits against former human resources minister M Kulasegaran, Klang MP Charles Santiago, Bagan Dalam assemblyperson Satees Muniandy and former ambassador Dennis J Ignatius.
The legal actions were filed following Zakir’s alleged controversial remarks during a talk in Kelantan on Aug 8, 2019, while speaking about the peaceful spread of Islam in the Malay archipelago.
Zakir: I spend RM10,000 a month on security guards
Zakir also testified during today’s High Court hearing that Ramasamy’s alleged defamatory statements not only damaged his reputation as an Islamic preacher, but also led to risks to the safety of his family and himself.
He declared that it got to the point where he had to spend RM10,000 every month on security guards to ensure the safety of his family and himself.
“It (Ramasamy’s statements) caused me to be fearful for the security of my family and myself.
“Now I hire security guards 24/7 (24 hours a day seven days a week). I have to spend RM10,000 every month due to the frivolous statements from a person with a personal agenda and political motive,” Zakir testified.
He claimed that it got to the point that he lodged two police reports against Ramasamy, alleging that he found it difficult to continue with his daily activities with his family in public due to fears for their safety and security.
Zakir told the court though that the greatest alleged damage caused by the purportedly defamatory statements was to his vocation as an Islamic preacher to millions of Muslims worldwide.
“The greatest loss (allegedly caused by Ramasamy’s statements), though, is to my dakwah (Islamic preaching) activities.
“My main work is to bring people from Satan to the Almighty God,” Zakir claimed, contending that Ramasamy’s statements affected his ability to properly preach to millions of Muslims worldwide.
He further claimed that India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) had filed a criminal charge against him, but that no further action was taken regarding the charge due to allegedly no concrete evidence in the criminal complaint.
Zakir said this in reference was referring to the defendant’s alleged reliance on the criminal charge dated Oct 26, 2017, by NIA against the former.
“In fact, Interpol (International Criminal Police Organization) had, for the third time, refused to issue a “Red Notice” against me, as applied by the Indian government, on the grounds of lack of evidence (Interpol’s decision).
“The Indian government had failed to produce evidence regarding the criminal allegations against me.
“The Interpol’s decision was made during the conference of the Interpol Commission Sessions 109 held on July 1 to 5, 2019, in Lyon, France, as affirmed by the Commission for the Control of Interpol’s files,” Zakir claimed.
Multiple quarters had previously called on the Barisan Nasional government and later the Pakatan Harapan administration to accede to India's request to extradite Zakir to his home country (India).
Hearing before Akmal will resume tomorrow morning, with Ramasamy’s legal team led by Ranjit Singh expected to cross-examine Zakir over his testimony.
The Islamic preacher’s legal team is headed by Akberdin Abdul Kader. - Mkini
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