Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad today said the government will revoke Zakir Naik’s permanent resident status if his actions are found to be detrimental to the well-being of the country.
He said police are investigating Zakir over his recent comments in speeches he made which were said to stir up racial tensions.
In a press conference today, Mahathir said he would let the police continue their investigations.
He added that Zakir will not be allowed to continue preaching if it is true his speeches have been detrimental to the harmony of the country.
Last night, Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said that police will call Zakir in for questioning.
Zakir recently courted controversy when he touched on the loyalty of Malaysian Hindus to Mahathir.
He claimed that Malaysian Hindus are more loyal to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi than to Mahathir, despite receiving “100 times” more rights than Muslims in India.
He was also quoted as saying that Chinese in Malaysia are also considered “guests” in Malaysia.
Earlier, it was reported that the Home Ministry is reviewing the Malaysian permanent residency of Zakir even as police investigate him for incitement.
Zakir was granted Malaysian PR in 2015 under the Barisan Nasional administration.