Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Tuesday said that if “evidence is submitted” terrorism “will not be condoned” when questioned about the extradition of Zakir Naik.
Naik is an Islamist preacher who fled to Malaysia after being accused in India of supporting terrorism and spreading hate and division among Muslims and other communities in India through his so-called lectures and speeches.
The Malaysian Prime Minister also said that one case should not deter Malaysia and India from enhancing their bilateral relationship. “We are open to any ideas and if evidence is submitted, we will not condone terrorism, but one has to produce a compelling case to support,” Ibrahim said while answering CNN-News18’s question on the long-pending extradition request of Zakir Naik, by the Indian enforcement agencies.
“We have been tough, we have been working together with India on many of these issues against terrorism. But I don’t think this one case should deter us from further collaboration and enhancing our bilateral cooperation,” he further added.
The comments from Ibrahim came after India and Malaysia elevated their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim held extensive talks focusing on expanding cooperation in several sectors, including trade, investment and defence.
“Today, we have decided that our partnership will be elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. We believe that there is still a lot of potential in economic cooperation. Bilateral trade and investment should be expanded,” PM Modi said in his media statement.
Malaysia had ruled out deporting hate preacher Naik unless he broke Malaysian laws. He also holds permanent residency status in the country.
Naik and his organisation, Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), were first banned in India in 2016 following accusations that he and his foundation engaged in inciting hatred and pushed IRF’s members to sow enmity, hostility and unfavourable feelings between Muslims living in India and other religious groups.
In March 2022, the IRF was ruled an unlawful association and consequently banned for five years by the Home Ministry.
The ministry said that the IRF founder Zakir Naik’s talks were objectionable as he was praising known terrorists.
“Naik has further inspired Muslim youth and terrorists in India and abroad to execute terrorist crimes,” the MHA notification said.
“These activities constitute a form of symbolic yet manifested invasion through the deliberate perpetuation of hate in the community done by IRF and its office bearers. Therefore, the aforesaid material shows that there exists sufficient cause to hold IRF an unlawful association,” the notification further added.
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