Despite pressure from various quarters for Zakir Naik to be deported he remains in the country. Many have spoken up from the Minister of Youth and Sports to the Democratic Action Party and Parti Keadilan Rakyat ministers, yet a resolution is nowhere in sight.
Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad today (August 14) says Dr Zakir Naik risks ending up dead if he deports the latter to India.
Zakir is facing charges of money laundering and inspiring terrorism in India. He says these are bogus charges and India has no strong case against him.
To prove his point, he referred to the refusal by Interpol to issue a red corner notice on him. Once Interpol issues the notice the country hosting him has the responsibility to arrest and deport him.
But Malaysia under Dr Mahathir says it will not follow Interpol’s red notice if it’s issued.
However, the Malaysian Premier says he is open to sending the Indian national to other countries willing to take him.
Dr Mahathir says the problem Malaysia faces is “that we cannot send him back. Because he risks being killed.”
Zakir faces increased pressure after his remarks against local ethnic Indians and ethnic Chinese.
He allegedly said he will only leave Malaysia after the country sends back the ‘guests’ from China. He was referring to the early Chinese communities who arrived in Malaysia under British rule.
This has caused several political leaders to urge Mahathir to kick him out of the country.
The latest request is from one of Dr Mahathir’s protege, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman who stated on Whatsapp he supports the movement by several cabinet colleagues to get Zakir out of Malaysia.
Unlike his cabinet ministers, Mahathir does not want to be part of the latest controversy surrounding Zakir.
He says the media should address Zakir’s reference to some people’s loyalty to the community in question.
Zakir allegedly questioned the loyalty of some members of the Malaysian Hindu community, saying they love Indian Prime Minister more than Dr Mahathir.
This has incensed some cabinet Ministers from the Democratic Action Party and the Parti Keadilan Rakyat.
In a speech in Kota Baru, Kelantan recently, Zakir allegedly said Hindus in Malaysia are getting 100% better treatment than Muslims in India.
The Sports Minister joins Jelutong MP RSN Rayer, Human Resources Minister M. Kulasegaran, Klang MP Charles Santiago and Communications Minister Gobind Singh Deo and Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar. -/TISG