Syed Saddiq posts photos with Zakir, urges Malaysians to move on

Updated 4 years ago · Published on 24 Aug 2019 9:11PM · 8 Comments

A picture uploaded onto Youth and Sport Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman's Twitter account, showing him with Dr Zakir Naik at an undisclosed location. – August 24, 2019.

DR Zakir Naik has apologised and Malaysians should move on, said Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman in a tweet that included photos of him with the controversial preacher.

“There is no one who never makes mistakes, Dr Zakir Naik has apologised. I myself have made many mistakes and have to keep an open mind when I am corrected.

“There is no more need to beat our chests and cloud the situation. Let’s move on. The country needs healing!,” Syed Saddiq said tonight.

He posted four photos of him with Dr Zakir at an unidentified home, sitting around a dining table chatting with other people.

Dr Zakir is currently under police investigation for the Penal Code offence of intentional insult to provoke a breach of trust over remarks made at a ceramah in Kota Baru  earlier this month.

He allegedly insulted Malaysian Indians, by saying they were more loyal to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Indian is wanted in his home country for alleged money-laundering, hate speech and inciting terrorism.

Dr Zakir, who was granted Malaysian permanent residency and is seeking refuge here from the Indian authorities,  also allegedly insulted Malaysian Chinese when addressing calls for him to be go back to India. 

He said “older guests’ like the Chinese should go back first.

After Dr Zakir’s remarks on Malaysian Chinese, Syed Saddiq was reported as being among a few ministers who publicly agreed that the preacher should be deported.

He also declared: ““An attack against our Chinese and Indian brothers and sisters is an attack against all Malaysians. 

“It is ridiculous to even think that my fellow Malaysians are my guests.

“They are my family for god’s sake. Enough is enough.”

Police have said 515 reports have been lodged against the preacher, who remains popular with segments of the Muslim community.

After his speaking tour in Kelantan, Dr Zakir was to have gone to Perlis but was advised by police against it.

He is now barred from speaking publicly on any platform under an order by the Inspector-General of Police, until police investigations are completed.

Dr Zakir issued an apology after the IGP’s order, saying he never intended to hurt any individual or community.

However, he has also served notices of demand alleging defamation against four Pakatan Harapan elected representatives and a former ambassador who had condemned him.

In a related tweet tonight, Syed Saddiq also affirmed Malaysia a country of many races and religions. 

“Unity is our strength. Ever race has its own contribution. They are all Malaysians, like me.” – August 24, 2019. 

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Comments

  • Dear young Minister, Zakir Naik did not make any mistakes. He was blunt - he hit at the non-Muslims left, right and centre. Do you support his jihad to see that the day will come when everyone on this planet is Muslim? He has a hatred for non-Muslims and engineered a vehicle to serve his purpose, i.e. "Comparative Religion". This is his way of sounding very learned, very academic, to hentam the non-Islamic religions and "prove" that Islam is the best of all, the only true religion and that the others are fakes. And you sympathise with him? I don't blame you as you are too young, or as the Chinese saying goes, you have not eaten enough salt!

    Posted 4 years ago by Ravinder Singh · Reply

  • You are too young to handle this, Syed stupid.

    Posted 4 years ago by Penganalisa L · Reply

  • Flip flopping politician wannabe

    Posted 4 years ago by Kinetica Cho · Reply

  • Why get in the mud, young man?

    Posted 4 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • TDM 's baby syed we are not interested in zakir apology just ask him to dont show his ugly goat face to the non malays anymore. Ask zakir naik to GET LOST.

    Posted 4 years ago by Mindy Singh · Reply

  • Young punk.follow whatever the old man says.One day say to deport him then having Makan with him.You think we Malaysian voted for you are stupid.

    Posted 4 years ago by Gunasakaran Sreerangan · Reply

  • Malaysia Baru?
    Nope.
    Umno punya stail jugak

    Posted 4 years ago by Rock Hensem · Reply

  • Why not listen to this young minister and see what happens? Screaming at the top of our voices hasn't yielded any good. Perhaps we should take his advice and move on. If Dr Naik keeps to his side of the bargain and stops riling non-Malay/Muslim Malaysians, we could tamp down the unease and strain our nation is currently experiencing.

    Posted 4 years ago by Simple Sulaiman · Reply