The question of whether Malaysia is harbouring a fugitive.
- Wanted by Indian authorities for allegedly funding terrorism
- FB photo and post of his presence at a local mosque last Friday
- Deputy Home Minister denied Naik hiding in Malaysia
- Claims that Malaysian authorities have him in a safe house with 24-hour security
An Egyptian, Dr Mohamed Said, reportedly uploaded on his Facebook page a photograph of Dr Zakir Naik at about 2.20pm after last Friday’s prayer at the Tuanku Mirzan Zainal Abidin Mosque, with the comment: “Praise be to God, we joined Friday prayer with Dr Zakir Naik at the Sultan Zainal Abidin mosque in Malaysia.”
Naik is currently at the centre of an investigation in India over allegations of terrorism and money laundering. Indian investigators have also received information about his purported links with notorious underworld boss Dawood Ibrahim.
His Indian passport was revoked in July in an effort to restrict his movements.
Last month, Deputy Home Minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed denied a report by the Times of India that Naik was in Malaysia hiding from Indian authorities.
“They had in the past, also reported wrongly when claiming that the Malaysian government had given Naik citizenship,” Nur Jazlan was quoted as saying to FMT on Aug 18.
Published in news portals, Penang’s deputy chief minister II P Ramasamy posed the question yesterday of whether Malaysia is harbouring Naik.
He cited the Facebook post and photograph of Naik at the mosque last Friday and asked if it is true that despite the denials by the Malaysian government, the controversial Islamic preacher from Mumbai, one of India’s most wanted fugitives, may be hiding in our country.
Ramasamy added there are unverified reports that claim the Malaysian authorities have placed him in a safe house with 24-hour security either in Cyberjaya or Putrajaya.
He claimed that even Saudi Arabia is not willing to provide sanctuary to Naik, given the overwhelming evidence against him for inciting terrorist activities.
He also pointed out that “while Malaysia has taken a tough stand in terms of arresting those sympathetic to and supporting the efforts of the IS, it continues to harbour suspected criminals who come in the guise of religious scholars and preachers.”
Ramasamy was of the view that the Malaysian government must come clean on the matter of Naik and it cannot keep denying that he is not here.
Meanwhile, 17 human rights activists have filed a suit seeking a court declaration that Naik is a threat to national security and the cooperation between Malaysia and other countries, and that he is not qualified to be a permanent resident in Malaysia. The hearing of the case in the High Court is scheduled for Oct 11.
Related reports:
Jun 1, Controversial Preacher Reportedly Seeking Malaysian Citizenship
Apr 21, The Controversial Zakir Naik PR Status