The deafening silence over Zakir Naik's PR status

The Malaysian Insight The Malaysian Insight Updated 9 years ago · Published on 27 Apr 2017 10:49PM · 3 Comments

A protester holds a Pakistani national flag as others throw stones at police during a protest in favour of Islamic scholar and Peace TV founder, Dr Zakir Naik in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian Kashmir, in July last year. – EPA pic April 27, 2017.

DEPUTY Home Minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed today warned Malaysians not to trade words over controversial preacher Dr Zakir Naik’s permanent residency in Malaysia, saying it could escalate tension.

“I would like to advise all these groups to stop their public war of words. Whether from Muslim groups, Hindu groups or others.

“The home ministry is monitoring this and will take action if the war of words create tension and threaten national security,” he was reported saying by The Star Online today.

His comments came after a newly formed movement called Barisan Bertindak Melayu Islam, comprising Muslim-Malay groups, called for the Internal Security Act (ISA) to be revived for Persatuan Hindraf Malaysia (Hindraf).

The Malay rights groups accused the Hindu group of interference in issues such as the RUU355 amendments and Zakir Naik’s permanent residency, which they said had provoked the Muslims in Malaysia.

In other words, the deputy minister thinks Malaysians are children and a war of words can quickly escalate into a schoolyard scrap and who knows what else.

Perhaps, this is how Putrajaya looks at Malaysians. As little children who can’t think for themselves, who have to be mollycoddled, disciplined and told off when they themselves cannot explain what is going on.

Fact is, there is no argument among Malaysians. We just want to know why a man who is wanted in his country of birth and several other countries, and who has a propensity to drive a wedge between followers of different faiths, has been given permanent residency in Malaysia.

Is this something that Malaysia does as a matter of course? Many find it difficult to get permanent residency in the country. These include spouses of Malaysians, professionals from other countries and others who feel Malaysia is truly Asia.

So far, no one has been able to say who made the decision to give Zakir Naik permanent resident status in Malaysia.

And that is what some Malaysians want to know. It does not impinge on any right or faith or space of other Malaysians. There is no reason get excited and threaten people for asking a simple question.

Unless that question cannot be answered because “it does not bring benefit to any party”. – April 27, 2017.

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Comments

  • On the contrary, I don't think the minister or anybody else in the government serious thinks Malaysians are like children. The aim of these statements is to portray to the international community that Malaysians are like children or, worse, mindless and uncultured savages. The corollary is of course that such 'savages' (or children if you prefer) need to be guided by a strong (read: authoritarian) government 'for their own good. Hence it is 'reasonable' in a country of 'children' to have draconian laws repressing human rights because children cannot 'handle' freedom. Since many in the international community are already apt to believe in 'Western' civilisational superiority and the inherent savagery/barbarity of other cultures (this has been true since Roman times when the 'standard' classification of 'civilised vs barbarian vs savage' appeared, if I am not mistaken), this message goes down well.

    Posted 9 years ago by Anak Kampung · Reply

    • All I see is savages controlling said savages to accept the decision of the other savages to bring in more savages.
      No need to bring up ancient history.

      Posted 9 years ago by Kekus Vult · Reply

  • Well, "moderate" Muslims, where is this voice of moderation?
    With crazy Zakir Naik here hiding his crazy behind, more his kind will come out asking Malaysia to become more like Saudi Arabia or Pakistan.
    Mark my words.

    Posted 9 years ago by Kekus Vult · Reply