‘NO SPECIAL TREATMENT FOR MUSLIM PREACHER’

NRD approval of PR based on Immigration procedures

LAILI ISMAIL

AND ARFA YUNUS KUALA LUMPUR news@nst.com.my

THE Home Ministry has dismissed allegations that the government has given special treatment to controversial Muslim preacher Zakir Naik.

The ministry said the National Registration Department (NRD) approved Zakir’s permanent residency based on procedures set by the Immigration Department.

“Regarding the issue of Malaysian citizenship application (by Zakir), our checks revealed that there was no such record submitted to NRD.

“The government has never given special treatment to Zakir as rumoured,” the ministry said in reply to a question from Teresa Kok (DAP-Seputeh) on Monday.

Kok had asked the Home Minister to state whether Zakir had received PR status or Malaysian citizenship and what the rationale was for the government to give him special treatment when he had allegedly escaped police investigations on terrorism allegations in India.

The ministry said, during Zakir’s stay in Malaysia, he had not violated any law or regulation.

“Hence, there was no reason to detain or arrest him. Besides, the government had never received any official request from the Indian government on terrorism allegations against him.

“However, the government is always monitoring Zakir’s activities in this country and will take action if it is proven that he is involved in terror activities,” it said.

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