Malaysia to return Zakir Naik, but he denies it

Updated 5 years ago · Published on 4 Jul 2018 4:25PM · 18 Comments

Zakir Naik is known for hate speeches that apparently inspired one of the attackers in the 2016 Dhaka terror attack. – The Malaysian Insight pic, July 4, 2018.

CONTROVERSIAL preacher Zakir Naik is being returned to India today despite the previous Najib government granting him permanent residency since 2016, but the Islamist has denied the report.

Indian broadcaster NDTV confirmed with Malaysian police that the preacher will return tonight.

Zakir is known for hate speeches that apparently inspired one of the attackers in the 2016 Dhaka terror attack.

“He is out of the country tonight. He will be taking a flight to India today I believe,” officer Mohammed Raby Abu Bakar told NDTV in Kuala Lumpur.

Raby is from the police counter-terrorism unit in Bukit Aman.

Zakir, however, denied through his organisation, the Islamic Research Foundation, that he is returning to India any time soon.

“The news of my coming to India is totally baseless and false. I have no plans to come to India as I don’t feel safe from unfair prosecution.

“Insha Allah, when I feel that the government will be just and fair, I will surely return to my homeland,” said the IRF statement on behalf of Zakir.

His lawyer also said there is no notice of his extradition from the government yet.

Zakir left India in 2016, and has been living in Putrajaya in Malaysia since then despite protests from the local Indian community.

He was given permanent residency in Malaysia and holds the same status in Saudi Arabia.

When NDTV asked why he was “welcome” there, Raby was quoted as saying, “you will have to ask the last government.”

The Barisan Nasional government was ousted in the May 9 polls, the first change of government in Malaysia since its formation in 1963.

Former prime minister Najib Razak, who had welcomed Zakir, was today charged with three counts of criminal breach of trust and one count of corruption in the High Court today, the first top-ranking politician to face such charges.

Najib’s colleagues in Umno, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who succeeded him as party president, and Shahrir Samad, are also being questioned by anti-graft officials.

The Malay political party was seen as close to Zakir, who was popular as an English-speaking preacher among the local Muslim community and was usually seen at the main mosque in the Putrajaya administrative capital. – July 4, 2018.

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Comments

  • He will probably end up in KSA......lets wait and see

    Posted 5 years ago by Vicknaraj Thanarajah · Reply

  • A good move by the government. We have to respect the laws of other countries. When we want other countries to extradite persons we want, we must also deport persons other countries request. The rule of law must be honoured. Zakir has to face the law in his own country and clear his name. Once cleared, he can travel to any country he wants.

    Posted 5 years ago by Ken destino · Reply

  • Bye2 loser.

    Posted 5 years ago by Ananth Kumar Kumar · Reply

  • This hate preacher's deportation has been long overdue.

    Posted 5 years ago by Groundbreaking Views · Reply

  • 4th of July may need to be considered a public holiday soon if any more good news comes out.

    Posted 5 years ago by Richard Chapbell · Reply

  • thank the stars this is happening. Masking himself misleading people - we don't need that.

    Posted 5 years ago by Goku Krishna · Reply

  • You are an instigator of religion. You don't respect other religion. You don't respect the diverse ethnicity and religions in this country. Please go back to your country. There is no need to be afraid if you have done no wrong. Don't blame on your govt system

    Posted 5 years ago by Peace Maker · Reply

    • Well said.

      Posted 5 years ago by Jesse Lingard · Reply

  • Why make things difficult for your host? That's not very nice, isn't it? Go back and settle your problems with the Indian Government. If the Court there find you innocent you can always come back.

    Posted 5 years ago by Henry Mancini Jr · Reply

  • Send this hate monger and trouble maker home ASAP!

    Posted 5 years ago by Kenneth Tan · Reply

  • Good riddance to bad rubbish!

    Posted 5 years ago by Bhaskaran Sangaran · Reply

  • We don't need this tongue-twisting brain washer coward in this country. Go home!

    Posted 5 years ago by Jesse Lingard · Reply

  • For every person who despise him and considers him a troublemaker and bringer of calamity there is another one who worships him.

    Posted 5 years ago by Henry Mancini Jr · Reply

  • Waiting for the day our country will rid itself of the likes of this fella. Still waiting.

    Posted 5 years ago by Leslie Low · Reply

  • India should issue an extradition notice to Malaysia if they're serious to put him on trial for any alleged charges !

    Posted 5 years ago by Gerald Tak · Reply

  • Good riddance to bad rubbish. Scum of the earth.

    Posted 5 years ago by Justice For All · Reply

  • We have to honour the treaty we signed with any country. It's wise that Zakir be deported. Face whatever charges made against him like a gentleman and someone who fears God. Why worry when one believes in God.

    Posted 5 years ago by Ken destino · Reply