Controversial preacher Zakir Naik, wanted by the Indian authorities for alleged money laundering and inciting extremism through hate speech, said today he is not worried about Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s recent discussions with the republic’s representatives about him.
Speaking through his lawyer Akberdin Abdul Kader, Naik said judging by Indian media reports, Anwar did not commit to anything, including matters of extradition.
Separately, Akberdin said the Indian media reports were another attempt to “create something out of nothing”.
“It’s speculative. They (Indian media) did it before when they claimed Naik was dying of AIDS. This is just cheap publicity,” he told FMT.
Private talks and cautious approach
Indian news site New Delhi Television quoted Anwar, who was in India to attend the BRICS summit, as saying that talks about Naik had been held privately in New Delhi.
Anwar reportedly said that any potential action on India’s extradition request must be taken “very cautiously” and in line with the rule of law.
In 2024, Anwar said he would not consider extraditing Naik to India as long as the controversial preacher avoided causing trouble.
He said Naik, who travelled abroad and occasionally returned to Malaysia, had not been active recently and had not made any statement against either India or Malaysia.
Evidence and current stance
Anwar also said Malaysia might consider India’s request to extradite Naik, who has been wanted by Indian authorities since 2016, if New Delhi provided more evidence.
Akberdin said Naik had “hardly caused any trouble”.
