Police today grilled Klang MP Charles Santiago for about 90 minutes over a report lodged by controversial Muslim preacher Zakir Naik recently.

Charles said the recording of his statement started at 12 noon, and he spent about 90 minutes at the Bukit Aman federal police headquarters to answer about his press release in August, where he called the cabinet to discuss about Zakir for allegedly meddling in Malaysian politics.

According to the DAP lawmaker, the police asked him 22 questions during the session, including his motive for writing the release.

"I made it clear that I wrote the release because Zakir is an Islamic preacher who came to Malaysia and spoke in Kelantan saying that the Indians in Malaysia are more loyal to the prime minister of India than our own prime minister.

"To me, this is not right and have elements that can break apart the rakyat, and also give wrong ideas to the Muslims.

"This will create problems in the country," he told Malaysiakini.

Charles said he also informed the police that the country should not allow such a thing to happen here.

The MP was accompanied by his lawyer John Fam.

It was reported earlier this month that police would be recording statements from five people following Zakir's report alleging defamation.

Besides Charles, the other four are Human Resources Minister M Kulasegaran, Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy, former ambassador Dennis J Ignatius and Bagan Dalam assemblyperson M Satees.

Police had grilled Ramasamy and Satees in Penang last Wednesday. Both had stood by their statements.

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