Syed Saddiq represented himself in making peace with Zakir, says Muhyiddin

Timothy Achariam Timothy Achariam Updated 4 years ago · Published on 26 Aug 2019 12:53PM · 8 Comments

Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin at the International Seminar on Religious Values in Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism in Kuala Lumpur today. Muhyiddin says many opposition members have also met Zakir Naik. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Afif Abd Halim, August 26, 2019.

BERSATU Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman represented himself in extending an olive branch to controversial preacher Zakir Naik, said Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin. 

The youth and sports minister has come under heavy fire after sharing pictures of a dinner he hosted for the preacher after having earlier called for the Mumbai-born Zakir to be deported to India for playing up racial issues here. 

Muhyiddin, who is also Bersatu president, today said that Syed Saddiq’s views were not the views of the government.

“Syed Saddiq isn’t the only one who has met Zakir Naik. Many opposition members have also met him.

“For me it doesn’t matter; we aren’t bound by their views. We are bound by the rule of law,” he said after an event in Kuala Lumpur today. 

He added that Syed Saddiq’s dinner with Zakir would not disrupt investigations into divisive comments the preacher had recently made. 

“Whatever the case, it will not disrupt the ongoing investigations,” said Muhyiddin.

Syed Saddiq had earlier lambasted Zakir for the latter’s remarks during a ceramah about the Chinese and Indian community, and urged that the preacher be deported to India.

However, he made a surprise turnaround on Saturday by stating on his social media that people make mistakes and Zakir had apologised.

“There’s no need to beat on chests and make the situation worst. Let’s move on and the country needs healing,” tweeted Syed Saddiq.

Earlier, Muhyiddin also said Zakir was not above the law and would face action pending police investigations if he is found to have flouted the law.

“Nobody is above the law, whether your citizen or not. Of course, he is a PR (permanent resident); more so because he’s a PR, he is bound by the law. 

“He has to adhere and accept a few things. He was given PR as an award by the state and he cannot go against the etiquette of the award and the law,” he said. 

“Zakir Naik or Zakir Turun (Down), everyone is equal in the eyes of the law,” he said in jest. 

He said that although Zakir is a respected scholar, he cannot get away with inciting racial tension. 

“Not that we don’t respect him, don’t get us wrong. The Muslim community wants to protect him, that’s acceptable because he is a scholar and respected leader.  But because he touched on (racial) sensitivities, we cannot just let it go,” he said. 

Zakir has undergone two sessions of questioning and given his statement at the federal police headquarters in Bukit Aman in the past two weeks over the reports lodged against him as well as reports he made against certain political figures whom he said had defamed or slandered him. – August 26, 2019.

Sign up or sign in here to comment.

Comments

  • This is nothing but wayang

    Posted 4 years ago by Wee Tiong Kian · Reply

  • hahaha

    Posted 4 years ago by [email protected] · Reply

  • Young man should see for himself now, he is not getting support from the party on this matter. What has he done wrong?

    Getting support from either the party or the people is essential to signify that one is politically correct. He is just slipping out of his path.

    Posted 4 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

    • ...foolishly

      Posted 4 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • Bersatu's young U-Turn Sports Minister, Syed Saddiq - one dinner with Zakir Naik is enough, bought over. Is this the calibre of leaders Bersatu has? Gonna case lah Bersatu!!!

    Posted 4 years ago by Sidney Karan · Reply

  • Can Malaysians trust bersatu ? Hehehe.

    Posted 4 years ago by Astann astann · Reply

  • BERSATU CAN BUNGKUS Bcoz of a few UMNO type ministers

    Posted 4 years ago by Mindy Singh · Reply

  • Not making peace, but for his political survival. He is hoping to gain Malay votes for GE15. He does not have the welfare of the rakyat at heart. Now we know what to do with him for GE15.

    Posted 4 years ago by T E · Reply