PAS wants details of Zakir extradition talks, fears he is pawned for Malaysia-India ties

 

PAS has demanded details on the recent talks between Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the Indian government regarding controversial preacher Zakir Naik’s extradition.

In a statement today, the party’s secretary-general, Takiyuddin Hassan, urged the government to clarify the legal and diplomatic status of the extradition request, the exact issues discussed, and whether any understanding was reached during the meeting in New Delhi.

He said the party was also gravely concerned that the preacher, who is wanted by Indian authorities, could become a “diplomatic concession” to demonstrate the strong bilateral ties between Malaysia and India.

“An explanation should also be given as to whether the evidence and documentation supporting India’s request to Malaysia have met the requirements stipulated under Malaysian law for extradition.

“PAS also demands that the government clarify whether Malaysia has made any political commitment, whether explicit or otherwise, concerning the extradition of the international preacher, who has been a permanent resident of this country since 2012 and whose status was officially confirmed by the home minister at the time, in April 2017,” he said.

Takiyuddin said that while PAS recognises Malaysia and India’s longstanding bilateral ties in trade, investment, education, technology, and other strategic areas, good relations should not override the legal requirements and provisions governing the extradition process.

“Malaysia should give due consideration to any legitimate extradition request from any foreign country in accordance with the legal process, rather than treating it as a political transaction or bargaining process.

“PAS therefore expresses serious concern over the possibility of Zakir (below) becoming a political casualty or diplomatic concession in Malaysia’s efforts to demonstrate its friendship or gain India’s trust, should the legal requirements above not be complied with and their underlying principles not be duly respected,” he said.

Takiyuddin added that the issue is not just about Malaysia and India’s ties, but also a test of whether Malaysia will uphold its own legal principles and provisions when faced with diplomatic pressure or potential gains.

Keeping it private

According to Indian news site New Delhi Television, Zakir’s extradition was reportedly discussed between Anwar and an Indian government representative.

Zakir is wanted in India over alleged money laundering and hate speech.

NDTV reported Anwar confirming that engagements on the matter were held in “private discussions”, believed to have taken place in New Delhi.

“We thought we should keep it very private to protect the interests of both nations. But we, of course, put it on the priority list for building trust and relationship between our countries,” he was quoted as saying in the Sept 12 report.

Anwar (above) added that any potential action on India’s extradition request must be done “very cautiously”, in a way that respects the rule of law and the importance of bilateral relations.

Controversial figure

Zakir had previously said that he was prepared to return to India if the Indian Supreme Court assured him in writing that he would not be arrested and jailed until he was convicted.

The Islamic preacher had also triggered police investigations in Malaysia after his comments against the local Indian and Chinese community resulted in the lodging of over 100 reports.

While a ban on him speaking in public was imposed soon after, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said last year that the restriction was only in effect in 2019.

Zakir, however, is unfazed by the extradition talks between Malaysia and India.

According to Free Malaysia Today, Zakir said through his lawyer, Akberdin Abdul Kader, that Anwar had not committed to anything, including extradition, based on Indian media reports.

Akberdin also described the reports as another attempt to “create something out of nothing”.

“It’s speculative. They (Indian media) did it before when they claimed Naik was dying of AIDS. This is just cheap publicity,” he told FMT, adding that Zakir had “hardly caused any trouble”. - Mkini