Fri 16 August 2019:
The Malaysian government has announced that it will summon Indian Muslim preacher Zakir Naik over controversial statements he made about ethnic minorities in the country, as Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and his cabinet consider their options amid contentious debate on his possible deportation.
Home Affairs Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said in a statement late on Thursday that the police will question Naik following his remarks about Malaysians of Chinese and Hindu backgrounds.
Muhyiddin made the statement as Singapore’s Straits Times reported that Mahathir’s cabinet members have agreed during their meeting on Wednesday that Naik should leave the country.
The police have also confirmed that Naik is under investigation, adding that the agency received at least 115 complaints against the preacher. It would not say when Naik will appear to answer the complaint.
Naik accused the media of misinterpreting his words, but his comments quickly spread, dominating the political discussion in the country for days.
In a follow-up statement published on Thursday, he said that the “vilification campaign” against him is now in “full swing” and is being done “with a political motive”.
Abdul Hadi Awang, president of the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), defended Naik saying in a statement that it is the “obligation” of Muslims “to defend their religion and protect its preachers”.
Nik Mohamad Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz, a parliament representative and PAS member, also said that “no Muslim would be happy” if Naik is “thrown out of the country, unless he is a hypocrite and a big sinner”.
Muslims make up about 60 percent of its 32 million people. The rest are mostly ethnic Chinese and Indians, most of whom are Hindus.
Since arriving in Malaysia, Naik has also established a loyal following. Last week, he addressed tens of thousands of people at a public lecture in the rural state of Kelantan, where he received a rousing reception.
Amid the uproar, prominent Malaysian civil liberties lawyer Syahredzan Johan said the government could revoke Naik’s permanent residency.
In response, a man threatened through social media posts to behead the lawyer.
“You expel Dr Zakir Naik, I will hunt you until I find you, and I will separate that pig head of yours from your body.”
Syahredzan said he has lodged a police report on Thursday.
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