MALAYSIANS are now paying for their failure to listen and heed a group of activists who warned the government about Dr Zakir Naik through a civil suit filed in 2017, said Sarawakian human rights activist Peter John Jaban.

“We did try to warn Malaysians of the danger and threat Zakir posed to the country’s fragile multiracial make-up if we allowed him in,” Jaban said, alluding to the civil suit filed by human rights activists against the government two years ago.

In the March 1, 2017 suit, the activists accused Putrajaya of failing to protect the country against the threat posed by the controversial Indian preacher, whom some called “the hate preacher”. The suit was struck out.

“Nobody listened. Now we are paying for that failure to listen,” Jaban said, as he joins the growing chorus calling on Putrajaya to expel Zakir, who is wanted in India on terrorism and money-laundering charges.

The recent outcry against Zakir stems from his remarks made in Kota Baru, Kelantan, last weekend where he questioned the loyalty of Hindus in Malaysia.

Zakir later also allegedly made disparaging remarks against Chinese Malaysians, labelling them as “guests” in this country.

The suit sought a government declaration that Zakir was a threat to national security and called for a ban to prevent him from entering the country. They also wanted him arrested and deported immediately.

The activists, from various religious and ethnic background included the former chairman of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) P. Waytha Moorthy and outspoken lawyer Siti Kasim.

They accused Zakir of being an “undesirable person” and “a preacher of hate”.

Jaban said if ever there is a time for the government to use the controversial Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma), it is now.

Putrajaya should use the security law on the preacher for stirring religious and racial tension in the country, he said.

“Zakir Naik should be thrown out of this country. The government must stop harbouring fugitives and terrorists.”

Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) president Dr Sim Kui Hian also demanded that Putrajaya strip Zakir of his permanent resident status.

“We do not welcome racists and extremists like Zakir Naik, especially to Sarawak where the people enjoy living in peace and harmony.”

In reference to Sarawak’s autonomy over immigration and its special power to ban undesirables even from the peninsula, Sim said the state “will never compromise over her autonomy on the entry of racists and extremists”.

Sarawak does not normally announce who are on its “immigration black list” but Deputy Chief Minister James Masing yesterday told The Malaysian Insight Zakir was placed on the list “during Tok Nan’s time”, in reference to former chief minister Adenan Satem who died in office on January 11, 2017.

“Why do we (need to) allow a religious bigot to enter Sarawak and spoil its religious and social harmony?” Masing said.

PKR national women vice-chief Voon Shiak Nee agreed and said there are “100 reasons” Zakir should be thrown out of the country. 

“He cannot stay. He is a threat to racial and religious harmony.”

Voon said the government owed all Malaysians an explanation if it wants to continue keeping the preacher.

“Other countries have chosen to close their doors to him and it is beyond comprehension why we are still keeping him here despite receiving an extradition application from India.

“He has stirred racial and religious tension with his extreme public statements and had also made extreme sexist statements objectifying women.

“He came to take refuge in our country but he has taken advantage of the freedom to interfere by promoting his unwarranted extremist racial and religious agenda. We don’t need him to teach us what to do,” Voon said.

Parti Bumi Kenyalang president Voon Lee Shan questioned why the government was allowing Zakir, who does not speak any Malay, go on public speaking tours.

“He speaks only English. So who is his target group?” – August 16, 2019.