Days After Modi Visit, Malaysia Puts Zakir Naik On Watch

Just days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Malaysia, the Malaysian government has issued a strict warning to Islamic hate preacher Zakir Naik, to follow the law of the land or face action, Malaysia based Malay Mail has reported.

Various groups in Malaysia have been protesting against Naik’s acerbic speeches, saying it offends the sensibilities of those who do not profess Islam. The Indian government has maintained that Zakir Naik promotes terrorism in the garb of Islamic education, through his ironically named Peace Foundation.

The previous Malaysian government had offered Naik refuge in the aftermath of Indian law enforcement agencies pursuing him on charges of supporting terror and financial fraud. The new Pakatan Harapan regime in Malaysia, however, has chosen to take a tough stand on the hate preacher.

Malaysian home minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has made it clear that Naik will have to abide by the rules of the country, or else risk strict action from the administration.

“I have been informed that Zakir Naik has been given PR by the previous administration. So the issue now, if he is a PR just like any of us here, we are still subject to the law.

If you do something that is not in accordance to the law, whether it involves the issue of religion, or crime, whatever it is, you cannot be spared,” the Home Minister said.

With the new favourable regime in place, Indian agencies are now likely to begin the process of seeking his extradition.