Malaysian PM Mahathir Bin Mohamad slams Zakir Naik over 'racial politics' amid deportation chorus

Amid the rising chorus of deportation, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Bin Mohamad called out hate preacher Zakir Naik for propagating in racial politics. 

The Malaysian PM said that it was "quite clear" that the hate speaker wanted to participate in racial politics, and that as a permanent resident of the country he cannot participate in politics. 

He said, "You can preach (religiously). But he wasn’t doing that. He was talking about Chinese going back to China and Indians going back to India. We are very careful about how we see things that are sensitive to the liberal community of this country. I have never said such things. But he did. That is politics. If he wants to talk about religion, go ahead. But say the right things about religion, not something cooked up."  

The Islamic preacher, on Saturday, was banned by Malaysian police from speaking in Perlis, the northern state of the country. The ban came after a public uproar over his racially insensitive remarks in the nation with multi-ethnic groups.

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Perlis police chief Senior Assistant Commissioner Noor Mushar Mohd has said that action would be taken against Naik if he defies the police order. SAC Mushar said the police would act against Naik if he speaks at the event called ‘Malaysia Reverts Camp 2019’ being held in Perlis during August 16-18. 

The officer has also said that Naik will have to alert the police ten days ahead of any future speaking engagement and that he will have to inform about the topic of his talks to the authorities.

The voices demanding for the deportation of controversial preacher Zakir Naik is rising, the latest one being from an MP who has said he will appeal to the Malaysian Prime Minister for the same. A Malaysian MP from People's Justice Party has said that he wants Zakir Naik to leave the country. MP Willie Mongin said that the controversial preacher must leave Malaysia and that he will write to Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad to request deportation.  

“If Zakir is innocent, then he must be tested by his own country’s laws. We cannot be penny wise, pound foolish. Just to protect one person, we are quarreling among ourselves,” Willie said."I will put my appeal in writing to Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, " he said.

READ| Malaysia MP Joins Growing Govt Chorus For Zakir Naik's Deportation, Asks 'why Doesn't He Prove Himself Innocent In India?'