Naik’s speech went against religious tolerance, Ramasamy tells court

 

Muslim preacher Zakir Naik’s provocative statements about other religions were hurtful and had sparked a racial-backlash, Penang deputy chief minister II, P Ramasamy said.

KUALA LUMPUR: The importance of tolerance and respect for religious sensitivity in Malaysia seemed to have escaped Muslim preacher Zakir Naik when he gave a speech in Kota Bharu three years ago, the High Court was told today.

Penang deputy chief minister II, P Ramasamy, said Naik was instead insensitive by ridiculing the people of the very country that had given him shelter.

“Naik’s Kota Bharu comments drew the ire of many Malaysians as a whole.

“By calling the Malaysian Chinese ‘guests’ or ‘pendatang’ and questioning the loyalty of Malaysian Hindus, he not only angered them but also ruffled the feathers of the Malay-Muslim community,” he said.

-ADVERTISEMENT-

Ads by 

The former academician said this when examined by lawyer Navpreet Singh on his feelings following Naik’s speech in the Kelantan capital on Aug 8, 2019.

Ramasamy, 73, said he was a first generation Malaysian and his parents emigrated from India back in 1920.

He said he grew up with many Muslim and Chinese friends and had been invited to their homes during festive seasons.

“As Malaysians, we are not only respectful of one another’s race and religion, but we also treat each other as family.

“We live by, and uphold, the principles of the Rukun Negara, which are aimed at achieving and maintaining national harmony and unity,” he added.

However, these basic tenets seemed to have escaped Naik, who showed insensitivity to racial and religious tolerance here, Ramasamy said in response to defamation suits filed by Naik, who is now a permanent resident in Malaysia.

Ramasamy said he had no issue with the preaching of Islam in Malaysia. He said he also had no issue with people embracing Islam after listening to Naik’s preaching.

“But his version of comparative religion involves making provocative statements about other religions that are hurtful and that have sparked a racial-backlash,” he said.

Ramasamy is relying on the defence of justification, fair comment and qualified privilege to defeat Naik’s suits.

In October and December 2019, Naik filed two separate suits alleging that Ramasamy had issued five statements against him.

One of these is that Ramasamy had “manipulated” the Kota Bharu speech he had made at an event organised by the Kelantan government, which was also published by FMT.

Hearing before judge Hayatul Akmal Abdul Aziz was adjourned to Nov 8. - FMT