Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad said controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik did not figure in talks with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi. Mohammad said PM Modi did not seek extradition of Naik. The preacher, a fugitive in India who has taken shelter in Malaysia, is wanted on charges of terror funding.
Mahathir added that Modi, whom he met in Russia during an economic forum earlier this month, made no extradition request for Naik despite an official notice from New Delhi, according to Malay Mail report. “Not many countries want him. I met with Modi. He didn’t ask me for this man,” said Mahathir.
Malaysia has put in place restrictions on Naik. The radical Islamic preacher is not allowed to publicly speak in the country after the row over his racially divisive remarks which include saying that the Chinese should be sent back to China.
Mahathir said, “Well, he’s not a national of this country. He has been given, I think by the previous government, permanent residence status. A permanent resident isn’t supposed to make any comments on this country’s systems and politics. He has breached that. He is now not allowed to speak. We are trying to find some place he can go to but at the moment, no one wants to accept him.”
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