PUTRAJAYA: Controversial Muslim preacher Zakir Naik will not be deported as he has been granted a permanent resident status here.
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad told a media conference today that Zakir shall remain in the country, for now.
Several groups previously urged the government to deport Zakir following his alleged tendecies to make racial and religiously insensitive statements.
"As long as he is not creating any problem, we will not deport him (and at the same time) because he has been given a permanent resident status," Dr Mahathir said.
On matters relating to Malaysia's policy on sheltering refugees, Dr Mahathir said the country would continue to play its humanitarian role.
Dr Mahathir said the same should be emulated by European countries.
"We have always been hospitable to refugees coming into our country despite the fact their numbers are very, very big. We have accepted them.
"For humanitarian reasons, we think that the European countries must exercise the belief that they have, that they must be sympathetic towards refugees and allow them to come in.
"I understand that some countries have too many, and they would like to share (the humanitarian responsibility) with other countries...that is something they should do.
"But I understand some countries are closing their borders completely to the refugees. That is not humane."