Criticisms against Malaysia for allowing controversial Muslim preacher Zakir Naik to remain in the country have now shifted to the lack of will and power of Pakatan Harapan’s Indian leaders to fulfil their election promises.

Gerakan national legal and human rights bureau head Baljit Singh slammed Harapan’s Indian leaders for being unable to keep their promises to deport Zakir, which they had vowed at ceramah sessions that they would do if they won in GE14.

"There are two Indian ministers and two deputy ministers in the Harapan cabinet now, but it seems they are unable to convince their Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad on the need to deport Zakir," Baljit told Malaysiakini.

"Start behaving like a government. You won Putrajaya on May 9, but it seems the Harapan leaders are still behaving like the opposition, they lack the power and will to do what they promised to do," he added.

"If Harapan can U-turn on this basic thing, what about other issues?" asked Baljit, who is a well-known lawyer in Penang.

He declined to use religion as the reason why Zakir should be sent home to India, but pointed out that the preacher was facing court charges on claims of money laundering, supporting terrorist activities and inciting religious tension.

Zakir is banned from entering Singapore and is also a "wanted man" in Bangladesh, another Muslim country in the region.

"If you do not want to deport him to India, why not send him to Bangladesh, where he is also wanted?"

Despite these allegations, Zakir obtained permanent residence status in Malaysia during the rule of BN, and he is also welcomed in Saudi Arabia.

He has courted controversy in Malaysia for reportedly delivering hate speeches during his talks. Zakir has denied such claims.

Zakir has also been labelled as a tool of the elites in government to protect their own selfish interests, while Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy has warned that the "world is watching" Malaysia's decision to retain Zakir.

Mahathir has refused to bow to India's pressure to deport Zakir, citing the excuse that he did not commit any crime in Malaysia.

Mahathir's defence of Zakir was warmly welcomed by the preacher, who thanked the prime minister and said he has full faith in Malaysia's democracy and rule of law.

Besides the controversy over Zakir, Baljit pointed out that Harapan is still unable to get the police to locate the husband of Indira Gandhi, who is in contempt of court for refusing to return the youngest child to Indira after the couple's divorce.

"With one phone call, these Harapan ministers can get inspector-general of police Fuzi Husin to act, for they have the power to do so now. I repeat, they have the power, for they are no longer the opposition," Baljit said.

"Ramasamy should also remember that he is in the government now and should do what he can to get his government to deport Zakir, instead of making noise on the outside," he added.