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.
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.
Comments
Posted 4 years ago by Swaminaidu Venkatasamy · Reply
Posted 4 years ago by Mo Salleh · Reply
Posted 4 years ago by Jordan Lee · Reply
Posted 4 years ago by . . · Reply
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
Posted 4 years ago by Rupert Lum · Reply
Posted 4 years ago by Mindy Singh · Reply
Posted 4 years ago by Sunita petrus · Reply
Posted 4 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply
Posted 4 years ago by Watch Dog · Reply
Posted 4 years ago by Lipdah Lia · Reply
Posted 4 years ago by Mindy Singh · Reply
Posted 4 years ago by Mike Mok · Reply
Posted 4 years ago by Leong Hong · Reply
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
Posted 4 years ago by Watch Dog · Reply