PREACHER Zakir Naik is not above the law and action will be taken against him for incitement pending a police probe, said Muhyiddin Yassin.

The home minister said police are still investigating the Mumbai-born Zakir after more than 100 reports were lodged against him for incitement.

“No one is above the law. Certainly not citizens, much less a permanent resident, even one as respected for his knowledge as Zakir,” Muhyiddin said after an event at the International Islamic University in Gombak today. 

He said he was awaiting a full report on the police investigations.

“We are bound by the rule of law and the laws have to be used. Before action is taken and a sentence is passed, investigations need to be done because there needs to be justice in the rule of law.”

The government won’t bow down to pressure from people to reprimand the preacher, he said.

“We can’t simply punish him or deport him because of public pressure. We will investigate based on data and facts.”

Discussions on whether Zakir should be deported or otherwise won’t affect police investigations, he said.

“It is still our right not to deport anyone even if there are claims from other countries.

“It is not up to the police to decide on deporting him since it is not in their purview and instead falls under specific laws. 

“Malaysian law does not obligate us to send someone back to their home country upon request from its government. If we feel there is a legitimate concern, we may not do so,” Muhyiddin said. – August 26, 2019.