MIC youth chief C Sivarraajh has criticised the Pakatan Harapan government, notably its Indian leaders, for failing to get the controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik deported to India.

"This is what Indian leaders like (Penang Deputy Chief Minister II) P Ramasamy, (Human Resources Minister) M Kulasegaran and others had promised, and they were consistent in blaming BN, Umno, and MIC on the issue," he told Malaysiakini.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad told the media that Zakir, who had been given Malaysian permanent resident status by the previous BN government, would not be deported.

“As long as he is not creating any problems, we will not deport him because he has permanent resident status,” Mahathir said.

However, Ramasamy said the extradition agreement between Putrajaya and India must be honoured.

Zakir is being sought by the Indian police for allegedly inciting youth to engage in terror activities via his hate speeches.

Sivarraajh, the Cameron Highlands MP, reminded the Harapan leaders to not take the rakyat for a ride.

"Next time when Harapan leaders want to promise anything, better check whether they can deliver or not... don't take the rakyat for a ride for your political benefit.

"People voted out BN because they expected Harapan would deliver their promises, but it's disappointing to see them breaching their election promises one by one," Sivarraajh claimed.

While Pakatan Harapan had not promised to deport Zakir in their election manifesto, its leaders had been vocal on the issue.

Previously, Kulasegaran had called on the BN government to revoke Zakir's permanent resident status for making hate speeches.

“He has spoken so much of hate speech in this country and elsewhere. He compares one religion to the other, he criticises another religion. He hurts the feelings of others.

“Malaysia is a multiracial country... and he should respect this. He should not be allowed to stay here... many people were influenced by him to be involved in terrorist activities.

“He should be deported to India to face charges for money laundering and hate speech,” he had said.

Ramasamy, meanwhile, had said in the past that keeping Zakir here would only strain diplomatic relations with India.

In April, Sivarraajh criticised the BN government, of which his party was part, for giving Zakir a permanent residency, saying such privileges should be given the stateless Indians in the country.