CONTROVERSIAL Muslim preacher Dr Zakir Naik was questioned for more than 10 hours at the federal police headquarters in Bukit Aman today.

At press time, the Indian citizen was still in the police headquarters after being summoned there at 3pm yesterday.

Zakir’s lawyer, Akhberdin Abdul Kader, told reporters the preacher would issue a statement but the media left the police headquarters after there was no sign of the lawyer or the televangelist.

Zakir is being questioned for the second time in connection with his racially charged comments made in Kota Baru, Kelantan, two weeks ago. He was first called up by police on Friday over the same matter.

Bukit Aman CID director Huzir Mohamed said police began recording his statement at 3.15pm, adding that Zakir was accompanied by his lawyer.

Huzir said the recording of his statement was stopped temporarily for Maghrib prayers but continued thereafter.

Zakir has courted trouble with the law over his speech in Kota Baru, in which he allegedly insulted the country’s Hindus and Chinese citizens.

He had allegedly said that Malaysian Hindus were more loyal to the Indian prime minister than to Prime Minister 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.

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

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

More than 110 police reports have been lodged against Zakir over his statements in Kelantan.

Zakir, too, had issued letters of demand through his lawyers to several politicians and individuals who had criticised him over his statements.

The notices of demand were sent yesterday to three politicians and a 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.

Zakir is wanted in India on charges of money laundering and terrorism. India has sought his extradition but Malaysia has resisted it for fear he would not get a fair trial back in his home country.

Dr Mahathir, who had previously backed the Muslim scholar several times, did not hold back his tongue on Sunday when he said Zakir had 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,” the prime minister had said. – August 20, 2019.