Zakir Naik has crossed the line, says Dr Mahathir

Mumbai-born preacher Zakir Naik should stay away from making political speeches in Malaysia, said Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Dr Mahathir, who has backed the Muslim scholar several times before, did not hold back on Sunday (Aug 18), saying Mr Zakir has gone too far with his recent racial comments.

“I don’t know who gave him his permanent resident status but he should stay out of politics. He can preach, he can spread Islam and we are not going to stop him.

“But he must not talk about politics. Asking the Chinese and Indians to go back is political. Clearly, he is stirring up racial sentiments… let the police investigate.

“In Malaysia, we have rule of law and we will put that into practice,” Dr Mahathir said after an event at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. 

Just last Wednesday, Dr Mahathir had said the controversial preacher could remain in Malaysia after his latest remarks questioning the loyalty of Malaysian Hindus to their country.

He had said Mr Zakir could not be repatriated because his life could be at risk in India, where he is wanted on terrorism-related charges.

“He is here because if he is sent back, he might be killed.

“However, we welcome any country that is willing to take him,” he had said in Sepang.

Mr Zakir, at an event in Kelantan last week, had allegedly questioned the loyalty of Indians in Malaysia to Dr Mahathir, and had urged the Chinese to go back to “their country” if they wanted him to do the same.

Several non-Muslim ministers have raised the issue in cabinet meetings, urging the government to revoke Mr Zakir’s PR status and boot him from the country.

The police are also investigating Mr Zakir over the remarks. The preacher will continue to be grilled by the cops in Bukit Aman on Monday after his first visit on Friday.

So far, Kedah, Perlis and Penang have prohibited Mr Zakir from giving public talks.

Source: Today Online, Malaysia