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Malaysia must defend fugitive preacher against extradition request: PAS

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysian Islamist opposition party Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) wants the government to refuse India’s request demanding the return of its citizen and controversial Muslim preacher Dr Zakir Naik, who is being investigated by New Delhi for alleged terror activities.

Controversial Muslim preacher Zakir Naik, who is on the run from the Indian authorities investigating him for alleged terrorism. Photo: Malay Mail Online

Controversial Muslim preacher Zakir Naik, who is on the run from the Indian authorities investigating him for alleged terrorism. Photo: Malay Mail Online

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KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysian Islamist opposition party Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) wants the Malaysian government to refuse India’s request demanding the return of its citizen and controversial Muslim preacher Dr Zakir Naik, who is being investigated by New Delhi for alleged terror activities.

PAS information chief Nasrudin Hassan said Dr Zakir was a well-respected individual, adding that claims of the preacher radicalising people or promoting terrorism were untrue.

“Malaysia does not need to abide to the request by the Indian government on Dr Zakir,” Mr Nasrudin said in a statement on Monday (Oct 23).

“PAS and Malaysians who stand by the truth will always defend Dr Zakir from being extradited to India,” he added.

India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) has submitted a charge-sheet on the 51-year-old fugitive preacher to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Dr Zakir will be charged this week, Indian officials said.

According to news reports, the NIA has sought prosecution sanction from the ministry against Dr Zakir, who has fled India.

News reports in India added that New Delhi will be sending a formal extradition request to Malaysia and to Saudi Arabia where he reportedly has gained citizenship.

Dr Zakir allegedly fled to Saudi Arabia after the Indian authorities started investigating him and his non-governmental organisation, the Islamic Research Foundation, for alleged terror propaganda. 

The Indian authorities are also mulling over terror charges against the 51-year-old preacher, reportedly based on the testimonies of about 50 terror suspects and convicts recorded from various jails, with those caught citing the medical doctor by training as their source of inspiration.

Dr Zakir has previously voiced support for Al Qaeda jihadists and Osama bin Laden and, in a 2006 lecture, he called for “every Muslim to be a terrorist”. The British and Canadian governments have banned the him from entering their country because of his inflammatory speeches.

Dr Zakir, however, has denied allegations that he is a terrorist and said he is ready to go to court, provided it is at an international or Malaysian court, to prove his innocence.

Putrajaya admitted awarding permanent residency status to Dr Zakir five years ago. He was also awarded the prestigious Tokoh Maal Hijrah award in 2013 in recognition of his contributions to Islam.

Singapore leaders have repeatedly spoken out about the dangers of divisive preaching by the likes of Dr Zakir.  Just this month, Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam showed a video in Parliament of Dr Zakir advising followers not to vote for someone of another religion.

“I think Singaporeans will say that is not acceptable," said Mr Shanmugam.

"If we allow that kind of teaching in Singapore, we can easily imagine what else might be said by people. It will move to race. If you are one race, you should vote for a person of that race.” AGENCIES

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