Zakir Naik has crossed the line, says Dr Mahathir

Alfian Z.M. Tahir Alfian Z.M. Tahir Updated 4 years ago · Published on 18 Aug 2019 5:48PM · 5 Comments

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre today. He says Zakir Naik's recent comments about the Chinese and Indian community in Malaysia are political in nature. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, August 18, 2019.

MUMBAI-BORN preacher Zakir Naik should stay away from making political speeches in Malaysia, said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The premier, who has backed the Muslim scholar several times before, did not hold back his tongue today, saying Zakir has gone too far with his recent racial comments.

“I don’t know who gave him his permanent resident status but he should stay out of politics. He can preach, he can spread Islam and we are not going to stop him.

“But he must not talk about politics. Asking the Chinese and Indians to go back is political. Clearly, he is stirring up racial sentiments… let the police investigate.

“In Malaysia, we have rule of law and we will put that into practise,” Dr Mahathir said today after an event at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. 

Just last Wednesday, Dr Mahathir had said the controversial preacher could remain in Malaysia after his latest remarks questioning the loyalty of Malaysian Hindus to their country.

He had said Zakir could not be repatriated because his life could be at risk in India, where he is wanted on terrorism-related charges.

“He is here because if he is sent back, he might be killed.

“However, we welcome any country that is willing to take him,” he had said in Sepang.

Zakir, at an event in Kelantan last week, had allegedly questioned the loyalty of Indians in Malaysia to Dr Mahathir, and had urged the Chinese to go back to “their country” if they wanted him to do the same.

Several non-Muslim ministers have raised the issue in cabinet meetings, urging the government to revoke Zakir’s PR status and boot him from the country.

The police are also investigating Zakir over the remarks. The preacher will continue to be grilled by the cops in Bukit Aman tomorrow after his first visit on Friday.

So far, Kedah, Perlis and Penang have prohibited Zakir from giving public talks. – August 18, 2019.

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Comments

  • I salute you for speaking the truth.

    Posted 4 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • TDM why are u so worried abt zakir naik being send to clear his name. Death is beyond control when time come hv to go no 2 way abt it. Are u willing to Protect All Malaysian Citizen of any mishap happen to them .

    Posted 4 years ago by Mindy Singh · Reply

  • Zakir does not have to go back to India if he is afraid of being charged, imprisoned, or even killed. He is said to be a citizen of Saudi Arabia. Can Saudi Arabia refuse to accept him? He has not said that he is afraid to go to Saudi Arabia. So why keep on talking of INDIA? Send him to Saudi Arabia. If there are other reasons to want to keep him here, say so and don't make India the scapegoat as he has Saudi Arabian Citizenship. Now that you agree he has crossed the line, do you not think that he should be packed up? This is a multiracial country and Zakir's type of preaching has no place here. Please love the nation more than loving Zakir Naik.

    Posted 4 years ago by Ravinder Singh · Reply

  • You are saying he has crossed the line. If you love Malaysia, remove his PR and send him away. If you have no courage to do something as simple as that, resign as PM and let others lead.

    Posted 4 years ago by BC Lim · Reply

    • well said. bulls eye. so Tun, your legacy at stake. rule by law? hahahhaa

      Posted 4 years ago by . . · Reply