Islamic preacher Zakir Naik has been holding permanent resident status in Malaysia since about five years ago.

This was revealed by Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi when met by reporters in Putrajaya today.

"I would like to confirm that he holds a permanent resident status in Malaysia. But he is not a Malaysian citizen.

"I think he has been holding the status since about five years ago. That was before I became home minister," Zahid said.

Zahid was queried on Zakir's status in Malaysia after the the preacher said, during a dialogue session in Kuala Lumpur last Sunday, that he was willing to be questioned by investigators from India on "neutral ground", such as in Malaysia.

India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) is seeking an Interpol red notice against Zakir.

Zahid also said that Malaysia would cooperate with India on any investigation against Zakir through the Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) mechanism.

"The investigations can't be carried out by Malaysia.

"But an MLA can be obtained if the country (India) has a relationship, an agreement with us," he said.

Asked whether there has been a request to extradite Zakir, Zahid said the preacher was not staying in Malaysia alone.

"He's also staying in some other countries, I reckon. Up to the Indian government to ask, not only from Malaysia but (also) from the other countries.

"We follow the existing legal system and the framework for diplomatic relationship with any country," he added.

Zakir has been a frequent visitor to Indonesia and Malaysia of late, and is believed to be based in Saudi Arabia.

Several Malaysian activists have filed a suit to compel Putrajaya to bar Zakir from entering Malaysia on grounds that his speeches are a threat to national security, harmony and unity.