Govt not obliged to deport Zakir, says Dr M

PUTRAJAYA: The Government is not obliged to give in to demands to deport controversial preacher Dr Zakir Naik, says Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The Prime Minister said it must first find out whether there was cause to expel Dr Zakir, an Indian national who has permanent residency status in Malaysia.

“We don’t always have to follow the demands of others.

“Before we respond to any pressure, we need to find out whether our actions follow the law or not,” he said at the Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission (MACC) headquarters here yesterday.

Dr Mahathir was at the MACC to lead a delegation of Pakatan MPs in attending a special briefing on governance, integrity and anti-corruption.

He was asked to comment on calls by various quarters, including Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasamy to deport Dr Zakir to his home country to ensure bilateral ties would not be affected.

Dr Zakir reportedly left India two years ago and is wanted by the Indian government for alleged money-laundering and terrorism activities.

Recently, Indian media reported that the preacher would be deported but Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun denied this.