MALACCA becomes the latest state to bar controversial preacher Zakir Naik from holding religious talks in the state.

So far, seven states – Malacca, Johor, Selangor, Penang, Kedah, Perlis and Sarawak – have decided to bar the Mumbai-born preacher from speaking in public.

Today, Malacca Chief Minister Adly Zahari was reported in the Star Online as saying that the state did not want any issue that could strain race relationships.

“We want to maintain this. So we decided not to allow Zakir to hold talks or gatherings here,” he was quoted as saying.

Perlis started the ball rolling by asking Zakir not to take part in an event over the weekend.

This was then followed by Kedah and Penang, and the other states.

Sarawak has banned Zakir from entering the state since the time when the late Adenan Satem was chief minister.

Kedah Religious Affairs Committee chairman Dr Ismail Salleh said the Indian national may visit the state but could not speak at public events.

Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman said the Penang Islamic Council (MAIPP) believed Zakir’s views are not suitable for the state.

As for Johor, the state’s Religious Islamic Department (JAIJ) director Md Rofiki A. Shamsudin said it had never granted Zakir any approval to conduct religious talks.

Selangor, too, decided to bar Zakir with Islamic Council (Mais) chairman Mohammed Khusrin Munawi saying the decision to prohibit Zakir from speaking or preaching in Selangor was made given the controversy surrounding him currently.

Two other states – Negri Sembilan and Perak – have yet to make any ruling on the matter.

Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun has been reported as saying the state has not received any application from Zakir to deliver talks there.

Perak Religious Committee chairman Asmuni Awi said the state won’t stop Zakir from speaking publicly but he must get permission first.

In Sabah, Chief Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal said Zakir would be banned from entering the state if there are reports of the preacher having extremist views.

Zakir is in the news again for his provocative speech during an event in Kelantan two weeks ago where he allegedly uttered anti-Indian and anti-Chinese remarks.

He is under investigation over the speech and will return for questioning in Bukit Aman at 3pm today.

He was first questioned for four hours on Friday. – August 19, 2019.