No extradition request from India for Zakir Naik — DPM

But I was informed that the Indian government had revoked his international passport, meaning he cannot travel on an Indian passport. He is in Malaysia as a permanent resident.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian government did not receive any application from the Indian government seeking the extradition of international missionary Dr Zakir Naik for allegedly promoting terrorism in that country, said Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister said that if the Indian government made such an application on the basis of mutual legal assistance, Malaysia would fulfill the request and send Zakir to his home country.

“So far, I have not received any extradition request from the Indian government. I had discussed the matter of Zakir when I met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (during a visit to India several months ago) but there was no extradition request at that time.

“But I was informed that the Indian government had revoked his international passport,

Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Deputy Prime Minister

meaning he cannot travel on an Indian passport. He is in Malaysia as a permanent resident,” he said when winding up debate on the Supply Bill 2018 for the Home Ministry in the Dewan Rakyat.

Ahmad Zahid said the government constantly monitored the activities of Zakir in this country or abroad and would take action if he was involved in or promoted terrorism or illegal activities.

He said the police had scrutinised every ‘ceramah’ (talk) of Zakir in the country and abroad and did not find any element of promoting terrorism or criticising other religions as alleged by certain quarters.

“I hope we will not have any misunderstanding over certain quarters, such as Zakir. It could be possible that the matter was taken out of context. Try to listen to his full talk. My officers scrutinised his talks over the Peace TV programme and found no such elements,” he said.

During Ahmad Zahid’s winding- up speech, several opposition MPs intervened and raised the matter of the PR ( permanent resident) status accorded to Zakir by the government.

Ahmad Zahid said Zakir was accorded the status several years ago, and that it was done in accordance with the provisions of the law and the prescribed procedure.

“No privilege was accorded to Zakir in the matter of the application for PR status or the permit to enter the country. If the application meets the condition, the status is given, just like in the case of any foreign national who wants a PR status in the country,” he said.

Ahmad Zahid said the revocation of Zakir’s international passport by the Indian government did not affect his status as a permanent resident in Malaysia, unless he is found to be involved in terrorism and other criminal activities. — Bernama