Anwar just returned from haj, give him time - Zuraida

PKR vice-president Zuraida Kamaruddin has said that party president Anwar Ibrahim, who returned from the haj on Thursday, needs time to settle down before addressing a number of controversial issues. 

These issues range from Muslim preacher Zakir Naik's remarks about the Hindu and Chinese communities in Malaysia, Putrajaya's decision to extend the operating licence for Lynas’ plant in Pahang and the Education Ministry's decision to impose khat lessons in primary school.

As a party, PKR has yet to make a stand on these issues. However, Zuraida said Anwar was in Mecca when the issues blew up.

"He has just returned, he needs time to settle down as he just came back from the holy land," Zuraida said in Komtar after launching a public forum on local elections.

She criticised Zakir, who had been quizzed by Bukit Aman police for hours last night on claims that his remarks at a talk in Kelantan had caused racial tension.

"At this point in time, Zakir is out of control, he has broken our trust in him, and made himself exploited by the opposition," Zuraida said.

"Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had said in a cabinet meeting that action will be taken (if the police finds that Zakir had caused troubles)," added the minister of housing and local government.

Last Thursday, Zakir allegedly made a controversial claim about Hindu Malaysians supporting the Indian government more than Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He later said that his remark had been misquoted, and that he had been referring specifically to the community trusting the Indian government more on charges laid against him by his home country.

The preacher also irked the Chinese community when he labelled them as "guests" who should return to their homeland before he does.

Zakir later claimed his statement was meant to give historical context about Chinese migration and that it was a response to calls for him to leave the country.

He has filed police reports against four DAP leaders for criticising him and calling for his deportation.

Zakir, a Malaysian permanent resident, is wanted in India on money laundering charges.

Mahathir has thus far refused to deport Zakir despite extradition requests, expressing concern about whether the preacher will receive a fair trial in his home country.