Zakir Naik: Dr M sets record straight on meet with Indian PM

Dr Mahathir Mohamad insists that his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi did not ask for controversial Muslim preacher Dr Zakir Naik to be extradited when the two prime ministers met earlier this month.

This is in light of yet another competing claim by New Delhi about what transpired during the Sept 6 meeting.

Asked about this today, Mahathir stuck to his version of events.

“I met with Modi, he didn't raise the issue.

“He did mention about Zakir Naik, but he didn't ask that Zakir Naik be sent to India,” he said during a press conference in Putrajaya today.

Yesterday, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reportedly said that New Delhi's expectation for Zakir to be extradited was previously communicated to Mahathir by Modi.

Jaishankar also stressed that his government has been “persistently and relentlessly” pursuing Zakir after they filed an extradition request back in January 2018.

Previously, Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale was quoted by Indian media as saying Modi had asked Mahathir to take steps to extradite the preacher. 

Zakir, who enjoys Malaysian permanent resident status granted to him by the previous BN government, is wanted back home for money laundering, terrorism and hate speech charges.

He has denied any wrongdoing and maintains that the criminal charges are politically motivated.

Zakir has been issued a gag order by Malaysian police after his controversial remarks about Hindu and Chinese Malaysians were reported by the media.

Mahathir previously explained that his administration was wary about taking action against the influential preacher because of the possible political ramifications.

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