CONTROVERSIAL Muslim preacher Dr Zakir Naik will be deported to India if the government makes an extradition request, said Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
“If the Indian government requests for him to be extradited, according to the Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA), we will send him,” Zahid, who is also home minister, said in Parliament today.
“As of now, there has been no such request,” he said in his reply to Puchong member of parliament Gobind Singh Deo.
Last month, Zahid dismissed allegations the Malaysian government was giving the Muslim televangelist, who obtained his permanent residency five years ago, preferential treatment.
Zahid had told Parliament Zakir had not flouted any local laws, and had not committed any crime in Malaysia.
Today, he also reiterated his denial Zakir has submitted an application to take up Malaysian citizenship.
Last week, the Times Of India reported the Indian government will make an official request to Malaysia to extradite Zakir, who is wanted in his homeland on terrorism-related charges.
Zakir, a 52-year-old medical doctor, has aroused controversy with his extreme brand of Islam where he recommends the death penalty for homosexuals and those who abandon Islam, according to media reports.
Last week, India’s counter-terrorism agency prepared charges against Naik, saying he has been “promoting enmity and hatred between different religious groups in India through public speeches and lectures.” – November 8, 2017.