Human rights lawyer Syahredzan Johan has spoken out against the suit filed by 19 individuals, urging the government to arrest and deport controversial Indian preacher Zakir Naik.

He said that while some of the people who filed the suit are his friends, and he even wished good luck to lawyer Siti Kasim who was one of the plaintiffs in the case, he believe that such a suit went against the principle of free speech.

"But I hold on to the principle of freedom of speech and expression - we should not stop a person just because we do not like what he says," said Syahredzan in a Facebook posting today

 

He said that any action to be taken against Zakir could only be done if he had broken the law.

"Yes, if it turns out that in this country Zakir has indeed spread hate and broken our laws, then action should be taken. But not before."

Furthermore Syahredzan saw parallels in the plaintiffs' application to declare Zakir a threat to "national security" in what can be seen as an attempt to justify preemptive action against him, with what the government is doing in pushing for more restrictive laws.

"And 'national security' is the same reasoning given by the Government to restrict freedom of speech and expression all this while," he added.

Yesterday a group of activists filed a lawsuit seeking, among others, an order for the arrest and deportation of the controversial Islamic preacher.

"(We are seeking) an order for the inspector-general of police (IGP) to arrest Zakir Naik immediately.

"(Also), an order to revoke the status of Zakir as a permanent resident of Malaysia, if this was granted, and an order to deport him immediately from Malaysia," said Hindraf chairperson P Waythamoorthy, one of the plaintiffs, said at the High Court in Kuala Lumpur after the group filed the lawsuit.

The defendants named are Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, the Immigration Department director-general, the National Registration Department director-general, IGP Khalid Abu Bakar and the Malaysian government.

The plaintiffs are also seeking a declaration that Zakir is a threat to national security, harmony and unity.

Zakir is being sought in India over allegations of spreading hate and extremist ideology and has reportedly been in hiding in Malaysia.