ZAKIR Naik has lodged a police report against Human Resources Minister M. Kula Segaran and four others for allegedly defaming him.
The controversial preacher also issued a letter of demand to Kula Segaran, seeking an apology and damages for alleged defamation.
In the letter, the Mumbai-born Zakir said he will sue if the minister does not apologise and offer a “reasonable sum” as settlement within 48 hours.
Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasamy, Klang MP Charles Santiago, Bagan Dalam assemblyman Satees Muniandy and former ambassador Dennis J. Ignatius are the others Zakir lodged the report against.
Zakir, who holds permanent resident status in Malaysia, lodged the report in Shah Alam this morning.
According to Malaysiakini, Zakir is accusing the five of defaming him through their statements and articles.
He cited several articles and press releases that “misled and confused the public at large towards the true intention of my speech (in Kelantan last week) in spreading dakwah (preaching), peace and harmony among the citizens”.
“The said individuals had wrongly quoted me out of context, in my reply to one of the questions posed to me after my speech on the topic ‘Misconceptions About Islam’. Clearly, they had twisted and manipulated (my words) to my disadvantage, and to feed their mischievous political agenda.”
The preacher said he actually praised Malaysia for treating Hindus well, in line with the “Islamic way”, and was trying to show the Indian government’s failure to do the same with regard to minorities.
Zakir said the five subjects of the police report made defamatory statements that had tarnished, smeared and/or damaged his reputation, and placed him in contempt in the eyes of the public.
He added that articles by Ignatius gave the impression that he is a person of bad character.
Meanwhile, the Malay Mail reported that the letter of demand to Kula Segaran was served today, and that the four others named in the police report will be served similar letters by Monday.
Lawyer Akberdin Abdul Kader told the portal that lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah will act for Zakir, who is wanted in his home country for money-laundering, hate speech and inciting terrorism.
Following Zakir’s remarks on Hindus, Kula Segaran and two other ministers, namely Gobind Singh Deo and Dr Xavier Jayakumar, called for action against the preacher.
Zakir was initially scheduled to speak at a religious camp in Perlis this weekend, but has withdrawn on the advice of state Mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin.
Yesterday, Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said police will call up Zakir for questioning. – August 16, 2019.
Comments
Posted 6 years ago by MA63 SSS · Reply
Posted 6 years ago by Jeffrey Ng · Reply
Posted 6 years ago by Watch Dog · Reply
Posted 6 years ago by MA63 SSS · Reply
Posted 6 years ago by Ab rahman bistamam · Reply
Posted 6 years ago by He Man · Reply
Posted 6 years ago by Anonymous 1234 · Reply
Posted 6 years ago by Watch Dog · Reply
Posted 6 years ago by Mokhzani Mohamad · Reply
Posted 6 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply
Posted 6 years ago by Mindy Singh · Reply
Posted 6 years ago by Ravinder Singh · Reply
Posted 6 years ago by Mokhzani Mohamad · Reply