THREE ministers today told Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad that controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik should not be allowed to remain in Malaysia after his remarks about the local Hindu community.
Human Resources Minister M. Kulasegaran, Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo and Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar said they had brought up Zakir’s controversial remarks in Kota Baru with Dr Mahathir at today’s cabinet meeting.
Kulasegaran and Gobind Singh, in a joint statement, said they had made their position clear in the meeting that action must be taken and that Zakir should no longer be allowed to stay in Malaysia, in the meeting today.
“The prime minister has taken note of our concerns. We leave it to him to consider and decide soonest possible what will be done to deal with the problem,” the statement read.
They said they had reiterated the concerns raised by many over speeches and statements by the preacher that have been inflammatory in nature.
They said while a decision was being made, Zakir should not be allowed to hold further events that would impact race relations and public order.
In a separate statement, Jayakumar said he had brought up the same points and that Zakir should not be allowed to make seditious remarks.
Jayakumar warned that if Zakir’s remarks are ignored, it would set a bad precedent and could potentially divide the people over racial and religious differences.
“This country has always maintained its peace and values through tolerance and wellbeing among its various races and religions. We are, after all, a multiracial country.
“We do not need such individuals to issue seditious statements with the intent to drive a wedge between Muslims and non-Muslims in Malaysia,” he said.
The Mumbai-born preacher, at a ceramah in Kota Baru, said it is unfortunate that Hindus in Malaysia are more loyal to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi than their own Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Hindus in India also have more rights than Muslims here, he added.
Zakir previously praised Dr Mahathir for boldly standing up to other countries.
He has been granted permanent residency in Malaysia despite India’s request that he be extradited to face charges there.
Yesterday, Kulasegaran said he would raise the matter of Zakir’s permanent residency at today’s cabinet meeting.
Zakir has touched a raw nerve by questioning the loyalty of Malaysians, he said.
“For this, action must be taken against him.
“Zakir is an outsider, a fugitive, and has little knowledge of Malaysian history.
“He should not be given the privilege to run down other Malaysians. What more, question their loyalty to the country.” – August 14, 2019.
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Comments
Posted 4 years ago by Aplanaidu Pathanaidu · Reply
Posted 4 years ago by Billy rave · Reply
Posted 4 years ago by Simple Sulaiman · Reply
Zakir Naik should never have been allowed to stay in Malaysia. I wonder how he got his PR. Was his PR given according to the rules & regulation. If not, who benefited? MACC should investigate this.
Posted 4 years ago by Anonymous 1234 · Reply
Wait till he flicks his trump card, as usual, to stump those who dont do things his way.
PS - Kula, u thot by staying silent on Indiras Plight, the issue wont come back to bite you, was it?
Posted 4 years ago by Rock Hensem · Reply
Posted 4 years ago by Dato Radha · Reply
Posted 4 years ago by Dato Radha · Reply
Posted 4 years ago by James Wong · Reply