Not keen to keep Dr Zakir Naik, says PM Mahathir as Malaysian Hindus demand his deportation

Kuala Lumpur, Aug 14: In the wake of pressure from minority Hindu community of Malaysia, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad today said that his government is not keen for Indian Islamic preacher Dr Zakir Naik to be in the country, but added it is hard-pressed to deport him elsewhere as “many countries” will not accept him.

"So he's here today, but if any country wants to have him, they are welcome," Mahathir said, as demand by the Hindus of Malaysia for Dr Naik's deportation from country increased.

Dr Naik in a recent talk had reported taunted Hindus in Malaysia for being more loyal to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi than their own premier.

Asked about this, Mahathir said: "You can ask them (Hindus) la, why do you ask me? How would I know?"

Human Resource Minister M Kula Segaran, who is a senior Hindu politician, has called for action against Dr Naik while the National Patriots Association (Patriot) on Wednesday took the preacher to task for allegedly questioning the loyalty of Malaysian Hindus to the country and saying China mistreated Uyghur Muslims.

“Questioning the loyalty of the Malaysian Hindus shows Zakir is ignorant, dishonest and has an ulterior motive and a hidden agenda," Patriot president Datuk Mohamed Arshad Raji said in a statement.

He also said that any sensitive issue on the Uyghur Muslims is best left to the Foreign Ministry.

"It is not for Dr Naik to instigate the uninformed public, and arouse hatred and animosity towards China, especially at a time when Malaysia's relations with China are improving. Furthermore, trade and infrastructure investment are also at stake. “Patriot would like to see Zakir Naik shut up now,” he said.

Government of India has made a formal request for the extradition of Dr Naik. In June this year, the External Affairs Ministry said it would "continue to pursue the matter with Malaysia."

Also Read: Malaysian Hindu Minister demands action against Dr Zakir Naik for saying ‘Malaysian Hindus enjoy 100% rights unlike Indian Muslims’