DAP, PKR ministers informed cabinet they want Zakir out, PM to decide

Two DAP and one PKR ministers today said they have raised the issue of preacher Zakir Naik's presence in Malaysia and the controversy he has caused during the cabinet meeting today.

"We have expressed our position which is that action must be taken and that Zakir Naik should no longer be allowed to remain in Malaysia.

"The prime minister has taken note of our concerns. We leave it to him to consider the position and to decide soonest possible what will be done to deal with the problem," Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo and Human Resources Minister M Kulasegaran said in a joint statement today.

The two ministers have, among others, raised comments made by Zakir during his ceramah in Kota Bharu last week.

In the interim, the duo said Zakir should no longer be allowed to hold any more events.

"We also reiterate the concerns raised by many over speeches and statements of his which have been inflammatory in nature.

"We, therefore, express our objections to Zakir Naik, in the meanwhile, holding any further events here in Malaysia or making further statements which impact on race relations and public order," they said.

Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar raised many of the same points as his two cabinet colleagues, adding that Zakir should not be allowed to make seditious remarks.

"This country has always maintained its peace and values through tolerance and well-being amongst its various races and religions. We are, after all, a multiracial country.

The preacher had attended last week a series of events in Kelantan as part of a roadshow by the PAS-led state government.

During one of the events, Zakir had suggested that Hindu Malaysians were more supportive of the Indian prime minister Narendra Modi than Malaysian prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He later explained that his comment was taken out of context and that he was speaking in the context of Hindu Malaysians supporting Modi to have him extradited, instead of Mahathir who has defended him.

Read more: Zakir: You want me to leave, then ask the 'old guests' Chinese to go back too

During the same event, Zakir had also said if he is to be sent out of the country, so should the Chinese who are "old guests" in Malaysia.

Zakir, who is wanted by authorities in India on money laundering charges, has a permanent citizen residency in Malaysia.

Mahathir has baulked at suggestions to extradite him, expressing concern that he won't receive a fair trial.

However, the prime minister had said he was open to sending Zakir to a country that is willing to accept him.