Zakir Naik was granted everlasting residency in Malaysia by earlier Mahathir Mohamed authorities
New Delhi:
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Tuesday indicated that his authorities could take into account India’s request to extradite controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik if it gives proof in opposition to him.
At an interactive session on the Indian Council of World Affairs, Mr Ibrahim additionally stated that the difficulty should not deter the 2 international locations from enhancing bilateral relations.
To a selected query, he stated the difficulty was not raised by the Indian aspect throughout Tuesday’s talks.
Zakir Naik is needed by the Indian authorities for alleged cash laundering and inciting extremism by hate speeches. He left India in 2016.
The Islamic preacher was granted everlasting residency in Malaysia by the earlier authorities led by Mahathir Mohamed.
“Firstly, it was not raised by the (Indian aspect), Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) did elevate it a lot earlier, some years again… However the situation is I’m not speaking about one particular person, I’m speaking concerning the sentiment of extremism, of a compelling case and proof that counsel the atrocities dedicated by a person or group or faction or events,” Mr Ibrahim stated.
The Malaysian Prime Minister stated his authorities is “open to any concepts and proof submitted”.
“We won’t condone terrorism… Now we have been powerful and we’ve got been working along with India on many of those points, in opposition to terrorism. However I do not assume this one case ought to deter us from additional collaboration and enhancing our bilateral cooperation,” he stated.
The Malaysian Prime Minister started his three-day go to to India final evening in his first journey to the nation after turning into the Prime Minister in 2022.
Mr Ibrahim additionally criticised Israel’s army actions in Gaza and described the general state of affairs because the “sheer hypocrisy” of the West.
“The atrocities of Israeli forces in Gaza that is actual, killing 40,000 individuals. That’s an atrocity,” he stated. “We should give a really clear message that this hypocrisy should finish. You possibly can’t speak about genocide in Ukraine due to the bombing of some villages, and 40,000 individuals killed (in Gaza as) the influence of battle and you’ll condone that,” he stated in response to a query.
“That is surprising and I name it sheer hypocrisy. It’s long-standing but it surely has to finish,” he stated.
“It does not matter whether or not the victims are Muslims or Christians or Hindus or Buddhists or no matter. They’re human beings and on this age for us (to say) that ‘I’m sorry, nothing will be accomplished’, is atrocious,” he stated.
