PARLIAMENT | Putrajaya has concluded that the controversial fugitive Indian preacher Zakir Naik has never promoted terrorism.

This was announced by Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who said the Home Ministry has scrutinised every speech made by the preacher.

"We at the Home Ministry have scrutinised all the videos and texts transcribed from his speeches. None of them promotes terrorism, none.

"This interpretation (of terrorism) came from certain leaders outside," Zahid said when winding up a Budget 2018 debate at the Dewan Rakyat today.

Zahid, who is also the home minister, attributed the preacher's alleged involvement in a 2016 terrorist attack in Dhaka, Bangladesh, to the perception of Bangladeshi authorities.

"On that Dhaka incident, it was the perception of that relevant country," he noted.

"(The attack) was not caused by the motivations of or provocation by Dr Zakir Naik. It was caused by other factors," he said.

Zahid (photo) declined to weigh in on the request to have Zakir's permanent residency in Malaysia reviewed.

The DPM also said as long as Zakir does not violate the country's laws and promote terrorism, the government would not take action against him.

However, he added that the government would send Zakir back to India if there is a request from the Indian government.

“If India requests that he be extradited via Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA), we will send him. To date, there has been no such request," he said.

During his visit to India, he said the Indian prime minister Narendra Modi did not make the same request.

It was reported that the Indian government would seek Malaysia's help to extradite Zakir, who was wanted for allegedly funding terrorism.

M Kulasegaran (DAP-Ipoh Barat) then pressed Zahid on why the government gave PR status to a man who is not fluent in Bahasa Malaysia and raised the issue of Zakir's alleged involvement in multi-million money-laundering in several countries.

Zahid responded that the ability to speak the national language is not a prerequisite to obtaining PR status.

"In order to obtain an entry permit and permanent residence, fluency in Bahasa Malaysia is not a priority," he said.

He also noted that Zakir has a right to acquire assets.

Lee Boon Chye (PKR-Gopeng) then questioned Zahid on what was so special about Zakir until the country granted him PR status.

"(He was) not special. In any application for entry permit and PR status, (we will see) whether the applicants fulfil the condition of Immigration Department," replied Zahid.