Putrajaya has power to revoke Zakir Naik’s PR status, says Zahid

SM Amin SM Amin Updated 4 years ago · Published on 18 Aug 2019 7:40PM · 6 Comments

Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says Zakir Naik was granted his permanent resident status by the government in 2015, back when Barisan Nasional was in power, and Muhyiddin Yassin was the deputy prime minister. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Kamal Ariffin, August 18, 2019.

PUTRAJAYA has the power to revoke controversial Muslim preacher Zakir Naik’s permanent resident (PR) status, said Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Umno president said the Indian national had been granted PR status by the Barisan Nasional government in 2015 at the time when Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin was the deputy prime minister and still part of the government.

“That was a government decision and, according to records, the decision was made in 2015. Muhyiddin was still in the government,” Zahid said after officiating at the Petaling Jaya Umno division in Kelana Jaya today.

However, the former home minister did not say what role Muhyiddin, who was also education minister at that time, had played in the decision.

Zahid today gave his views on the matter as the debate on Zakir’s presence in the country raged on.

Three Pakatan Harapan ministers – Gobind Singh Deo, M Kulasegaran and Xavier Jayakumar – have asked for the controversial preacher to be deported.

They also asked for him to be barred from giving talks in the country while Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad decided on the next course of action.

Dr Mahahtir, 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 police investigate.

“In Malaysia, we have the rule of law and we will put that into practice,” Dr Mahathir said today after an event at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. – August 18, 2019.

Sign up or sign in here to comment.

Comments

  • Hello indon, don't bullsh*t here. You were the home minister. Only the home minister has the power to grant PR!.

    Posted 4 years ago by Chee yee ng · Reply

  • When the crooks speak, the intention is to get others in trouble. I see a lot of similarities between the corrupt leaders of UMNO and Zaki Naik. Religion is only a tool to them for self interest.

    Posted 4 years ago by BC Lim · Reply

  • What have you done when you were the minister of home then?

    Posted 4 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • Zahid you have the guts to single one this one which is already a concern of others and his days here in Msia is numbered but what about the thousands you have approved during your days as Home Minister which also makes tons of money under your umbrella. Anyway your days is also numbered.

    Posted 4 years ago by Teruna Kelana · Reply

  • so?....you were the home minister...what crap...as usual from this ''one donor, many donors'' fellow.

    Posted 4 years ago by Lipdah Lia · Reply

  • Zahid did Damage to Malaysians by giving INSTANT PR to Fugitive who is Wanted in his Homeland. Innocent Decent people are still
    Waiting for YEARS N YEARS To Get PR. Zahid what kind of Home Minister are U . What Religion Do U PRACTICE.

    Posted 4 years ago by Mindy Singh · Reply