Controversial Indian Muslim preacher Dr Zakir Naik, who is being probed by Malaysian police for inflammatory statements, appears to be making more powerful enemies in Kuala Lumpur. Naik, who is wanted in India for money laundering and links to extremists, received permanent resident status in Malaysia in 2015.
On Friday, Naik lodged a police complaint against five prominent political figures, including Human Resources Minister M. Kulasegaran, for allegedly defaming him. Naik alleged that the five people had made defamatory statements against him on social media and websites. Naik also sent a legal notice to Kulasegaran.
Kulasegaran had on August 13 issued a press release titled Zakir Naik’s presence in Malaysia is embarrassing to all Malaysians. The press release was released to condemn alleged comments by Naik at an event last week that were derogatory to Malaysians of Indian and Chinese origin.
On Saturday, Kulasegaran declared that he was ready to face Naik in court. In a statement reported by the Malay Mail newspaper, Kulasegaran said, “Zakir Naik needs to know that there is no necessity to wait for a reply from me. He should advise his lawyers to file proceedings, if he is serious, as I am steadfast in fighting this matter, come what may.” Kulasegaran was in Japan on an official visit on Saturday.
“Rest assured that I will not cower and run to another country to seek refuge. As soon as work is over, I will return to my motherland and defend the unfounded allegations against me without fear,” Kulasegaran said. Kulasegaran emphasised he welcomed the “opportunity to confront bigotry and anti-Malaysian sentiment on behalf of the people who voted for me and who rely on me to safeguard this country”. “In short, my message to Zakir Naik is that I will see him in court!” Kulasegaran declared.
Kulasegaran was one of two ministers in the Mahathir Mohamad government in Malaysia who had publicly sought permanent resident status of Naik be withdrawn at a cabinet meeting.
In his press release issued on Wednesday, Kulasegaran had argued Naik “should not be given privilege to run down other Malaysians,” including questioning their loyalty to the country. Kulasegaran referred to Naik as an “outsider...fugitive... [someone] with little knowledge of Malaysian history”. Recently, Naik was accused of claiming Malaysian Indians were more loyal to the Narendra Modi government in India than to Malaysia.
