DPM: We will send Zakir Naik back if India asks
BY YISWAREE PALANSAMY
The Malay Mail Online8 November 2017
Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says until now, there is no application from Dr Zakir to become a citizen. ― Picture by Yusof Mat IsaMore
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 8 ― Controversial televangelist Dr Zakir Naik will be sent back to India if its government requests that he be extradited, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today.
Despite that, the home minister told the Dewan Rakyat that there has been no such requests made as yet, but Putrajaya will go ahead with deportation if requested via the Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) programme between governments.
“Until now, there is no application [from Dr Zakir] to become a citizen,” Zahid said.
“If India requests that he be extradited via Mutual Legal Asistance, we will send him. To date, there has been no such request.”
He was responding to Puchong MP Gobind Singh, who had cited a Hindustan Times article dated May 30, which reported that Dr Zakir had applied to obtain Malaysian citizenship.
Zahid added that despite India revoking Dr Zakir's passport, Malaysia would not revoke Dr Zakir's permanent residency (PR) status here, as he had not violated any local laws.
“I have not received any details. I just read what was reported in the media as to why his passport was cancelled. That, we respect the laws of a foreign government, but we as a legitimate government here, we follow the laws provided here.
“As long as he does not violate the laws, and did not do any wrong, what more like Ipoh Barat (MP, M. Kulasegaran) had said, that he had encouraged terrorism, that he had encouraged things which involve the degrading and criticising of other faith. We never received reports on that,” Zahid said, in response to DAP's Batu Gajah MP, V.Sivakumar.
He explained that Dr Zakir, who is also a trained medical doctor, was granted PR status long before his passport was cancelled by the Indian government, adding that there is no clause to revoke his Malaysian PR, simply because of India's move to cancel his passport.
Zahid also claimed that allegations against Dr Zakir had been made “out of context”.
“My officers had gone through each and every one his talks, be it in Malaysia, or overseas, as well the Peace TV programmes which he airs. To date, there is no (terror) elements as claimed,” Zahid added.
Last week, Indian news agency, ANI, reported that India will request for the extradition of the fugitive preacher from Malaysia soon, quoting an announcement by its Ministry of External Affairs.
“We seek the assistance of a foreign government in cases of extradition which requires a legal process internally first,” ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar was quoted telling a press briefing.
“We are nearing the completion of this exercise, once this exercise is completed. Soon we will make an official request to the Malaysian government on this matter.”
This comes as its National Investigation Agency (NIA) said on November 2 that it will explore all the legal options to bring Dr Zakir back to India.
Last month, authorities in India clarified that Dr Zakir was wanted for allegedly funding terrorism, rejecting his claim of being targeted due to his religious beliefs. India’s National Intelligence Agency finally filed charges against the controversial preacher whom it had previously dubbed a “terror suspect” in court last week, the Times of India reported.
The 52-year-old was reportedly charged under India’s Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for heading an “unlawful association”; he was also charged with inciting youth to take up terror acts and to join global terror groups such as the Islamic State (IS)
