PUTRAJAYA: The issue of controversial Indian Islamic preacher Zakir Naik was raised during this week’s Cabinet meeting, Human Resources Minister M. Kulasegaran revealed today.
He said the matter was raised by Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo; Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr A. Xavier Jayakumar; and himself.
“We, unlike the previous Barisan Nasional government, raised the matter in Cabinet. We discussed it and concluded that we will ask the Attorney-General if there is any formal request from India (for an extradition).
“Let the Indian government make the necessary deportation order, and we will follow the rule of law. The bottom line is that the Indian government must make that request,” he said in a statement today.
This, Kulasegaran said, is the right way of doing things.
“It is not right for the government or one man to decide on this matter. It should be decided by… the courts, as they have the duty to dispense justice,” he added.
Kulasegaran, who is also the DAP National vice chairman, said that Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad made the right decision to allow Zakir to stay here, provided that he does nothing wrong or causes unrest.
“I assure the people that when I go to India, and if I have the chance to meet the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, I will discuss this matter with him as well,” he said.
Dr Mahathir said on Tuesday that Zakir will not be handed over to Indian authorities, as he has been granted Malaysian permanent resident status.
When responding to questions on whether India’s extradition request would be considered, the prime minister said that Malaysia will not give in easily to demands made by others, so as to prevent anyone from being victimised.
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