CONTRADICTING CLAIMS ON ZAKIR NAIK
But ministers agree that process, if requested, should be handled lawfully
CONTRADICTING claims have surfaced on weather India had formally requested for the extradition of controversial preacher Zakir Naik.
Both Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo and Human Resources Minister M. Kulasegaran appeared to suggest that India had not made such a request.
However, Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasamy seemed to have stated otherwise.
Kulasegaran said Zakir’s issue was raised by him, Gobind and Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr A. Xavier Jayakumar during this week’s cabinet meeting.
“We, unlike the previous Barisan Nasional government, raised the matter in cabinet. We discussed it and concluded that we will ask the attorney-general if there is a formal request from India.
“Let the Indian government make the deportation order and we will follow the rule of law, but the bottom line is that the Indian government must make that request.”
This, Kulasegaran said, was the right way of doing things.
“It is neither right for the government nor one man to decide on this matter. It should be decided in the courts as they have the duty to dispense justice.”
Kulasegaran, who is DAP National vice-chairman, said Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was right when he said Zakir could stay in the country, provided he did not do anything wrong or cause unrest.
“I assure the people that when I go to India, and if I have the chance to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, I will discuss this matter with him,” said Kulasegaran
On Thursday, Gobind echoed a similar stand, saying Malaysia would follow the rule of law in handling the issue.
“So, I think what needs to be done is once the case is put forward, the decision will be made whether to send him back or not,” he reportedly said.
It was reported that Zakir, a permanent resident of Malaysia, is wanted by the Indian government for alleged money-laundering and terrorism.
However, Malaysiakini had reported Ramasamy as saying that a formal request had been made for Zakir’s extradition.
“The Indian authorities have informed me of this,” he told the portal.
On Thursday, Indian media quoted the country’s External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar as saying that the request for Zakir’s extradition had been made in January.
“At this stage, I can tell you that our extradition request is under consideration by the Malaysian authorities,” he said.
Ramasamy reminded Pakatan Harapan that the Indian-born preacher’s status should not be seen as a yardstick to determine support for Dr Mahathir.
“It is not about supporting Dr Mahathir, but about the alleged crimes committed (by Zakir) in India,” he said.
He said there was no need to meet Modi at this stage.
“Just ensure that the rule of law is enforced in the country.”
Dr Mahathir said on Tuesday that Zakir would not be handed over to Indian authorities as he had been granted permanent resident status in Malaysia.
He had said Malaysia would not give in easily to demands by others to avoid anyone ending up being victimised.