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Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad met Zakir Naik, wanted in India for alleged terrorist activities and money laundering, and a ruling party strategist vigorously defended the government's decision not to expel the Muslim preacher controversial. The meeting, which might not go well in New Delhi, took place yesterday, in the aftermath of Prime Minister Mahathir's expulsion from Naik, who has permanent resident status in Malaysia, except if it breaks the Malaysian laws.
"I can confirm that Naik went to see Tun (Mahathir) this morning (Saturday)," Free Malaysia Today reported a quote from a source.
It is not known what Naik discussed with Mahathir at their first meeting since President Pakatan Harapan took power in Putrajaya, according to the report. The meeting, which was unexpected, was said to be brief, she said.
The meeting between Naik and Mahathir comes a day after the Prime Minister gave the clearest indication yet that the Malaysian government would not deport Naik, who is wanted in India for the first time. 39, allegations of money laundering and terrorism
There had been intense media speculation in India that the Malaysian government would respond to an extradition request made in January. The Department of External Affairs confirmed Wednesday that an official request had been made.
But yesterday, Mahathir said the government would not deport Naik since he got Malaysian permanent resident status, unless he causes trouble in the country.
Meanwhile, a strategist from Malaysia's Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia Party (PPBM) defended Prime Minister Mahathir's decision not to deport Naik to India, saying it would be tantamount to deporting Uyghur Muslims to China [19659003] Rais Hussin, PPBM strategist He said he saw no harm in Naik's activities and speeches.
Expelling him would be tantamount to deporting Uyghur Muslims to China, referring to China for the extradition of 11 Uighurs who illegally entered Malaysia last year. their dramatic escape from a prison in Thailand last year.
China accuses separatist extremists among the Uyghur minority of plotting attacks on Chinese Han. in the remote region of western Xinjiang and other parts of China. But rights groups have accused China of abuse of rights in Xinjiang and imposed tight control over the religion of Uyghurs, a charge rejected by Beijing.
Rais also criticized Naik on social media. He said that the Indian Islamic preacher had his own way of articulating his point of view through debates.
Naik's critics who have a "crowd mentality" should rather debate it than ask him to be deported to India. He challenged the motives of the Indian authorities whose action, he said, might not be based on justice.
In January, India officially asked Malaysia to deport Naik, wanted by India for inciting youth to terrorist activities. hate speech. India also has an extradition treaty with Malaysia.
Rais also stated that it was unfair to compare the country's attempts to bring back the convicted killer Sirul Azhar Umar and the Low Taek Jho business man with Malaysia's position on the Expulsion of Naik in India. 19659002] "Sirul was convicted of murdering Altantuya Shaariibuu, while Jho Low is involved in a big robbery in relation to the case 1 Malaysia Development Berhad.How does this compare to the debates? Comparative Naik on Religion? " Rais was quoted as saying.
In 2009, Sirul was convicted in Malaysia and sentenced to death for the sensational murder of a Mongolian woman, Altantuya Shaariibuu.
Naik also accused the media in India of subjecting him to a smear campaign over the past two years. He said that "false news" about his deportation would be exposed.
"Most of the articles published against me will be proven as having no basis and that they are wrong," he said in a new video message on his Facebook page.
Naik is being interrogated on terrorism and money laundering charges by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). He had left India in July 2016.
The NIA had first registered a lawsuit against Naik under anti-terrorism laws in 2016 for allegedly promoting hostility between different religious groups.
Naik is also the subject of an investigation for uttering hate speech that inspired a deadly terrorist attack on a popular café in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh in 2016.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is generated automatically from a syndicated feed.)
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