CONTROVERSIAL preacher Zakir Naik has issued notices of demand to three politicians and one former envoy for what he alleges is defamation in their statements and articles.

Zakir wants the four to apologise and offer a reasonable settlement sum within 48 hours or risk being sued for defamation.

The notices were sent to Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy, Klang MP Charles Santiago, Bagan Dalam assemblyman Satees Muniandy – all DAP lawmakers – and former ambassador Dennis J Ignatius.

“We have issued the notices today to those four,” said Zakir’s lawyer Akberdin Abdul Kader when contacted.

Last week, the same demand was made against Human Resources Minister M Kulasegaran, who promptly told Zakir to face him in court.

The furore is over Zakir’s speech in Kota Baru, Kelantan, earlier this month, in which he allegedly insulted the country’s Hindus as well as its Chinese.

In the speech, he asserted that Malaysian Hindus were more loyal to the Indian prime minister than they were to Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He went on to say that if he must return to India, as demanded by some Malaysians, then the Malaysian Chinese, whom he called “old guests”, should also “go back” to where they came from.

Zakir is wanted in India for alleged money-laundering, hate speech and inciting terrorism.

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

Zakir was questioned by the cops for four hours last Friday. He is scheduled to have a second session with the police this afternoon.

The case is being investigated under Section 504 of the Penal Code, which covers insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace and is punishable with up to two years in prison, a fine, or both.

According to Criminal Investigation Department director Huzir Mohamed, 115 police reports have been lodged against Zakir over the statements he made in Kelantan. – August 19, 2019.