Revisit the status of Zakir Naik

The Home Ministry can stop people from entering Malaysia and refuse to grant or revoke permanent residency status if they are a threat to national security, public order and not conducive to public good if advocating radicalism and terrorism.

While coming to Malaysia is a privilege, we must never allow one to be a permanent resident here if their unacceptable behavior will seriously disrupt our racial harmony and the rule of law.

It is important for Malaysians and others to understand the multi-racial ethos of this country.

It is absolutely regrettable that Zakir Naik continues to remain in Malaysia despite constant pressure to leave.

He might have been an opponent of terrorism and may have spoken out against acts of violence and violent extremism before, but his many other negative remarks on other religions of late can seriously harm our secular society.

In fact, the G25 added that it was concerned about the tolerance Malaysian authorities have shown towards Zakir.

As a nation, we have constantly, emphatically and unequivocally condemned and rejected militant training and extremist indoctrination that may be potentially harmful to national security from time to time.

But the previous BN government, while may not have liberally and generously encouraged radicalisation, chose to employ a more tolerant attitude towards Zakir. Why?

However, the present Pakatan Harapan government should construe strictly the definition and expression of national security and any activities that promote or encourage violence or hatred against other races and beliefs or if such activities are engineered and intended to overthrow or destabilise the government, then such person or individual should be asked to leave with immediate effect.

Such an immediate action is imperative if we desire to protect our country’s existence.

Moreover, Zakir is wanted by India and Malaysia is not obliged to harbor.

Thus it is now necessary for Malaysia to undertake preventive and precautionary measures and urge the Home Ministry to review and revisit the decision of the BN government on Zakir.

The ministry being the decision making authority must exercise their administrative jurisdiction cautiously or otherwise, it could create a state of alarm.

The Home Ministry must take a tough stand against anyone (including Zakir) if he has made denigrating and inflammatory comments on other religions and beliefs.

Note, our effort to integrate the multi-racial society would be shattered it we are selective on enforcement and employ double stands.

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R KENGADHARAN is a lawyer and a former ISA detainee. -Mkini