Don’t compare Turkish family with Zakir Naik, says PM

Chan Kok Leong Chan Kok Leong Updated 6 years ago · Published on 30 Aug 2019 9:23PM · 15 Comments

Muslim preacher Zakir Naik, who is wanted in India on terrorism-related and money-laundering charges, is a permanent resident of Malaysia. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, August 30, 2019.

TURKISH teacher Arif Komis and his family were deported to Turkey after the police decided they shouldn’t be here, said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Dr Mahathir also dismissed fears that Komis could be tortured by the Turkish authorities.

“I don’t know whether he will be tortured by Turkey. Do you know?” he said in reply to reporters, after the Pakatan Harapan leadership council meeting today.

The government has come under fire for repatriating the family who were protected by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said the family was deported this morning.

“The action was taken by the police who felt that they should not be in the country,” added Dr Mahathir.

Turkey-based human rights website Turkeypurge.com said it received an email from eyewitnesses claiming that Komis, his wife and four children were nabbed two nights ago from their home in Kuala Lumpur and were taken to the immigration centre near Putrajaya where they were processed for deportation at the request of the Turkish government.

Amnesty International Malaysia has chided Putrajaya for sending the family of six, including minors, back to Turkey despite the risks of torture and other ill-treatment at home.

Its executive director Shamini Darshni Kaliemuthu said the family with four young girls faced real risks to their safety and wellbeing in Turkey.

“The dcision to deport the family, including the couple’s four daughters who are minors at such short notice, is deplorable, especially in light of reports that they are being deported over accusations of the father Arif Komis’ membership of a faith-based group.

“The family is at risk of serious human rights violations or abuses back in their country,” she said in a statement.

Dr Mahathir grew agitated when asked why Komis was deported but not Muslim preacher Zakir Naik, who is wanted in India on terrorism-related and money-laundering charges.

“Don’t compare them with Zakir Naik so that there are controversies. We treat the case on its facts. On Zakir, where do you propose we send him?” – August 30, 2019.

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Comments

  • Where do you propose we send Zakir Naik? To India of course , to face trial.

    Just like you have sent a Turkish man and his family, to face torture.

    Posted 6 years ago by Arul Inthirarajah · Reply

    • undur lah atok.

      Posted 6 years ago by . . · Reply

  • Tun Mahathir, do you know for sure Zakir Naik will be tortured by India? What you are doing is double standard. The worst thing is Zakir Naik is causing trouble for our country, but the Turkish family is not. What in God's name are you thinking and scheming?

    Posted 6 years ago by T E · Reply

  • Back to his home in India. Hehehe

    Posted 6 years ago by Astann astann · Reply

  • The police have said that Zakir Naik is POISON and should not be in Malaysia. What do you say to this? Is the police wrong about Zakir Naik and they were right about the Turkish man? What is your evidence that Zakir Naik will be tortured in India, or will not get a fair trial in India?

    Posted 6 years ago by Ravinder Singh · Reply

  • India my dear PM

    Posted 6 years ago by Kinetica Cho · Reply

  • i dont know zakir would be torture in india. do you know?

    Posted 6 years ago by . . · Reply

  • Send him Zakir Naik back to India to face justice just like you did with Komis and his family, Tun M. You cant continue to speak with forked tongue.

    Posted 6 years ago by Rupert Lum · Reply

  • Is there any logic in Mahathir's reply?

    Posted 6 years ago by Swaminaidu Venkatasamy · Reply

  • Mahathir Step Down if u dont know how to differentiate an UN PROTECTED PERSON an a WANTED FUGITIVE. Just bcoz zakir is from your clan u want to keep him even though msians Hate Him.

    Posted 6 years ago by Mindy Singh · Reply

  • Tun, it is no longer tenable for you to defend Zakir Naik continued stay in Malaysia whilst the Turkish family had been summarily deported inspite of their UN refugee status. Just send the trouble make back to India. He is certainly welcome in India. That we are sure about

    Posted 6 years ago by Super Duper · Reply

  • Send him to Daudi or let Anwar take over.

    Posted 6 years ago by Kalai Chelven · Reply

  • Mahathir has lost his marbles...time to go.

    Posted 6 years ago by Lipdah Lia · Reply

  • Mahathir has lost his marbles...time to go.

    Posted 6 years ago by Lipdah Lia · Reply

  • Mahathir has lost his marbles...time to go.

    Posted 6 years ago by Lipdah Lia · Reply