Police action on Zakir Naik apt, says federation

Federation of Miri Chinese Associations here yesterday supported the police action of barring controversial preacher Dr Zakir Naik from delivering public talks nationwide.

It president here, who is also its Sarawak vice-president, Datuk David Goh said he was grateful to the police for taking such action for the sake of the country’s security.

“In fact, we also agree with the Sarawak government’s action to prevent the speaker (Zakir Naik) from entering Sarawak.

“This is because in here we are already deeply in the culture of respecting each other regardless of our race and religious belief. We want the existing unity to prevail,” he told a press conference at their premises here yesterday.

He added that Malaysia is a democratic country and our security well maintained.

“Therefore, no one can question our citizenship as Malaysians,” he said.

According to Goh, every citizen has his or her own responsibility to assist in the development of various aspects such as business, health, environment and so forth from being influenced by racial politics.

“The action taken by the authorities and the state government is right because we want to preserve the peace and dignity we have long enjoyed,” he said.

IGP Datuk Seri Abdul Hamid Bador said in a statement that he had ordered a ban on talks nationwide until the police investigation was completed.

Zakir is said to have made controversial statements against Hindus and Chinese in Malaysia during a speech in Kota Bahru on Aug 3, which prompted many to call for his deportation.

Zakir is wanted by Indian authorities since 2016 for allegedly engaging in money laundering and inciting extremism through hate speech.