‘We’ll not give in to demands to extradite Zakir Naik’
PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Malaysia will not give in easily just because there are demands made by others.
Responding to questions on controversial Muslim preacher Dr Zakir Naik and India’s request to have him extradited, Dr Mahathir said: “We do not easily give in to demands of others.
“We must look at all factors before we respond.
“Otherwise, someone will become a victim.”
Recently, a DAP leader had questioned if there was a “secret deal” between the Malaysian and Indian governments after Putrajaya said it would not deport Zakir.
Last week, Dr Mahathir said the cleric would not be handed over to the Indian authorities as the latter had been granted permanent resident status.
He said Zakir, who left India in 2016, would be allowed to stay in the country as long as he was not creating any problem.
However, the decision did not sit well with several groups, who insisted the government return Zakir to India following his alleged tendencies to make racial and religiously insensitive statements.
It was reported that India had made a formal extradition request for Zakir to be returned to the country after accusing him of inciting youngsters to commit terror activities through his hate speeches.
However, Zakir had accused the media in India of subjecting him to a campaign of vilification over the past two years.
He has pledged to expose “fake news” about him.