No other country wants Zakir, says PM

Chan Kok Leong Chan Kok Leong Updated 4 years ago · Published on 17 Sep 2019 11:01AM · 16 Comments

The prime minister suggests that preacher Zakir Naik is one of the legacy issues that Pakatan has had to deal with since wresting federal power from BN last year. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, September 17, 2019.

MALAYSIA is trying to find a country that will accept Zakir Naik, but “no one” wants the controversial preacher, said Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“We are trying to find a place that he can go to, but at the moment, no one wants to accept him,” said the prime minister on BFM’s Breakfast Grille programme this morning.

He was asked about the perception that Putrajaya is “protecting” Zakir.

Contrary to earlier reports, Dr Mahathir denied that India is pressing Malaysia to deport the Mumbai-born preacher.

“India has not insisted. I met Mr (Narendra) Modi, and he didn’t (say) he wants this man back. This man could also be troublesome for India,” he said, referring to his Indian counterpart.

Indian media outlets previously reported that Modi had asked Dr Mahathir to extradite Zakir when the leaders met in Russia on September 5.

Dr Mahathir suggested that Zakir is one of the legacy issues that Pakatan Harapan has had to deal with since wresting federal power from Barisan Nasional in last year’s elections.

“He is not a Malaysian citizen. He was given permanent resident status by the previous government.

“But, a permanent resident is not supposed to make comments on this country’s system or politics. He has breached that, and now, he’s not allowed to speak (in public).”

On why no further action has been taken against Zakir over his racial remarks made at a Kelantan event last month, Dr Mahathir said the issue is complicated.

“Racial feelings now are much stronger. When somebody says something that resonates with (certain quarters’) thinking, even though they don’t understand it, they like the sound.

“When he was preaching (in Kelantan), he spoke in English. The crowd was very big, but most of them couldn’t speak English. But they think this man is a great fighter, and they like him.

“If we take action against him, we are going to go against that group. In Malaysia, you have to be very careful about how you deal with these kinds of things. It’s not that simple, where… you can just pick up a problem and throw it out.

“That’s not the way we do things. You do that kind of thing and you’ll get more trouble.”

Zakir reportedly accused Malaysia’s Indians of not being loyal to Dr Mahathir, and urged the Chinese to return to “where they came from”. – September 17, 2019.

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Comments

  • What an explanation is from a so called statesman on Zakir? RUBBISH is the right word to use. Nobody wanted this fugitive but you want him for your political reasons. Dear Tun, I think you can't hoodwink present generation with all the advancements especially in the field of technology today.

    Posted 4 years ago by Swaminaidu Venkatasamy · Reply

  • Its not about which country wants him its about WE want him out of our country ! Send him back to his native country, let India deal with their own problems/Zakir.

    Posted 4 years ago by Mo Salleh · Reply

  • I agree with Dr Mahathir! Solving the issue of Zakir Naik needs very delicate maneuvering.

    Posted 4 years ago by Jordan Lee · Reply

    • you mean delicate politicking?

      Posted 4 years ago by . . · Reply

  • You gotta admire Mahathir; even when he sounds contradictory he is still prepared to give interviews. Of course, you cannot help but nowadays wonder, what which parts can be taken at face value, and which parts are an u-turn.
    Eg, no one wants Zakir, or he could be troublesome for India, or it is a legacy issue.
    If no one wants Zakir, or if it is a legacy issue, then why must Mahathir & co perpetuate that matter by being friendly with him? Syed Saddiqs dinner-photo-op?
    Troublesome for India?
    But it is ok if it is troublesome for Malaysia?
    What if the country where Jho Low is, also applies a similar principle?

    The more I think about, the more I am coming to a conclusion that Malaysia did not only need a governmental change; it also needs a changed mindset in its politicians.
    In short, we need a statesman. Not a gallery player.

    Posted 4 years ago by Rock Hensem · Reply

  • If no country wants the hate monger, Zakir Naik then why the hell do we keep him in our country for?

    Posted 4 years ago by Rupert Lum · Reply

  • Zakir naik paid some good corruption to get his PR from the previous govt means he DONT DESERVE A PR HE GOT IT BY CORRUPTION SO THEREFORE PR IS NOT VALID. The least mahathir can do is Revoke his PR By Right RULE OF LAW says Send him back to his Origin Country why is TDM Protecting A Money Launderer . We Hate Zakir bcoz he causing Religious Tension in malaysia our homeland. TDM there MUST BE a HIDDEN AGENDA FOR KEEPING Zakir in Malaysia. TDM it is NOT GOOD and NOT PROFESSIONAL OF U TO HURT THE RAKYAT Who have Tasted malaysia salt n sugar for 61 years. KARMA WILL COME TO QUESTION U ON JUDGEMENT DAY.

    Posted 4 years ago by Mindy Singh · Reply

  • He should show some gratitude and behave responsibly. These kind of characters will always look to get attention and they only know one way and that is to stir trouble and pit one community against others.

    Posted 4 years ago by Sunita petrus · Reply

  • No other countries want him...that's a good one. He is as good as a piece of junk now at our backyard.

    Posted 4 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • They can't rescind his or in case he squeals how much he paid for it!

    Posted 4 years ago by Watch Dog · Reply

  • What a joke of a PM. So put your head in the sand and pretend it will go away...( and appease the section of the population that blindly flows this racist clown).Welcome to Malaysian style of managing issues.

    Posted 4 years ago by Lipdah Lia · Reply

  • In lame man words Mahathir is telling that Malaysia is a dumping ground for Money Launderes n Terrorist. All Rubbish Waste not Wanted by other countries can be Parked Politically in Malaysia. TDM WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER U FOR TIS BLUNDER THAT U MADE.

    Posted 4 years ago by Mindy Singh · Reply

  • Thats the biggest lie of all: India definitely want Zakir back. So if other countries don't want him then why are we accepting garbage? Are we a garbage collecting country? He is not just garbage, some of which can be usefully recycled. He is toxic garbage that who will destroy this country

    Posted 4 years ago by Mike Mok · Reply

  • India wants him. He is an Indian citizen. Let him go home.

    Posted 4 years ago by Leong Hong · Reply

  • INDIA wants him back. Just send him back to his motherland. You don't have to protect someone running away from the law of his homeland.
    Looks like the reason he is not being sent back is that some Malays will get angry and that will affect the votes of those Malays. So it is all about politics, about self-preservation, about winning elections. Then why all the hype about "UNITY"?

    Posted 4 years ago by Ravinder Singh · Reply

  • Send the goat shaggers to Israel. They will treat him well.

    Posted 4 years ago by Watch Dog · Reply