We can’t stop Zakir 100%, says Muhyiddin  

Chan Kok Leong Chan Kok Leong Updated 6 years ago · Published on 3 Sep 2019 10:35AM · 4 Comments

Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin says Zakir Naik is taking part in the solat or prayer ritual only in Malacca this weekend and won’t breach a police ban on public speaking. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, September 3, 2019.

THE government can’t completely restrict Dr Zakir Naik’s activities, especially when prayer rituals are involved, said Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin today, as debate rages on over the preacher’s Malacca event on Saturday.

He confirmed what Malacca police and event organiser, exco and Paya Rumput assemblyman Mohd Rafiq Naizamohideen, have told media that the event at Masjid Cina Krubong on September 7 could proceed because Zakir will not be preaching.

“I have been informed that he is there to participate in the solat or prayer ritual only. 

“He will not be addressing the congregation there. And the Malacca police chief has informed us that on that basis, he is allowed to participate in the programme,” Muhyiddin said after his ministry’s monthly gathering in Putrajaya this morning.

The government can’t restrict completely Zakir’s activities, particularly if they are about prayers, Muhyiddin said.

“We are not going to control him 100% to do anything, especially if it is to do with prayers,” said the Bersatu president.

Zakir will make a public appearance in an event organised by Rafiq who is from Bersatu and also chairman of the mosque hosting the event.

Rafiq, who is also a Bersatu supreme council member, said the “Malam Islam bersama Zakir Naik” event will begin before Maghrib prayers and only involve prayers, with no speeches.

This will be Zakir’s first public appearance since a police ban on the India-born preacher from speaking at any public platform until investigations into his remarks which allegedly offended Hindu Malaysians and Chinese are completed.

Malacca is one of the states that have barred the Indian fugitive from public speaking.

But Rafiq said the event is a private programme by the mosque he chairs and not a state government event.

Malacca Chief Minister Adly Zahari approved the event and so have the police, since Zakir will not be delivering any speech, Rafiq said.

At a ceramah in Kota Baru, Kelantan, early last month, Zakir allegedly offended Hindus by implying they were more loyal to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as well as Chinese when he implied that the latter were “guests” in Malaysia. – September 3, 2019.

Sign up or sign in here to comment.

Comments

  • "Malam Islam Bersama zakir naik" tis quotation is sending a clear msg to public what is Islam Teaching n Preaching . A person who is badly highly TAINTED is your Preacher. What ISLAM is zakir goin to teach when he himself does not know abt ISLAM very basic. Very basic of every RELIGION is u Preach all GOOD n TRUTH n the most important PRACTICALLY IMPLY TO YOURSELF B4 PREACHING TO OTHERS. Bersatu has done No Justice to its people by inviting a person like zakir naik they shld hv invited CLEAN SCHOLARS WHO PRACTICE TRUTH IS HIGHEST VIRTUE IN LIFE.

    Posted 6 years ago by Mindy Singh · Reply

  • This fella is trying to be funny

    Posted 6 years ago by Wei Kuan Tan · Reply

  • No problem...we will do our own 'prayers' and be guided to vote accordingly. Let us all remember Mahathir and Bersatu.

    Posted 6 years ago by Lipdah Lia · Reply

  • More excuses from Muhyiddin. I think the PH government is already slacking in its role and duties. There needs to be a thorough assessment if they can really serve the needs of the people moving forward..
    whether or not it is a private or public/government function, ZN must adhere to police rulings. Plainclothes police should monitor his every move at the function.

    Posted 6 years ago by Kampung Boy · Reply