CONTROVERSIAL preacher Zakir Naik, wanted by India on terror and money-laundering charges, has applied for Malaysian citizenship.

The Times of India, quoting “agency sources”, said that the preacher who was given permanent residency by Malaysia, has now gone a step further and applied for citizenship. But to date, no decision has been made on the application.

“The Indian government is planning to use its diplomatic channels to frustrate all attempts by the preacher to get citizenship in any country,” said the newspaper, adding that Malaysian authorities were aware of the terror cases pending against Zakir.

The preacher fled India after an investigation against him on terror and money-laundering charges began. He is accused of spreading hatred through his provocative speeches, funding terrorists and laundering millions over the years.

Interpol was approached by the National Investigation Agency of India after a year-long probe into Zakir’s Islamic Research Foundation and Peace TV.

The Indian government has banned the foundation and taken the TV channel off the air. 

The NIA allege that Zakir has been promoting enmity and hatred between different religious groups in India through his speeches and lectures. In 2016, terrorists in Bangladesh claimed they were inspired by his speeches on waging jihad, the Times of India reported.

Zakir’s presence in Malaysia has been a divisive factor among the races here, with Muslim politicians and civil society organisations championing his cause and non-Muslims wanting his permanent residency status revoked for his divisive speeches on religion.

In recent months, MIC, MCA and other component parties of the Barisan Nasional coalition have come out strongly against the preacher because of his tendency to belittle the religious beliefs of non-Muslims.

The Malaysian Insight understands that Zakir has broached the idea of obtaining Malaysian citizenship but has not received any encouragement from the authorities so far. 

There is a residency requirement before any person can be granted a Malaysian citizenship. Giving him Malaysian citizenship could be a potential flashpoint with the general election expected and as many as 25.000 Malaysian Indians still yet to receive their citizenship. – May 31, 2017.