Indian Muslim preacher Zakir Naik banned from public speaking in Malaysia

Police received more than 100 complaints over his remarks questioning loyalty of minority Hindus and saying ethnic Chinese are guests in Malaysia

Naik says his words were taken out of context by detractors

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Preacher Zakir Naik arrives at police headquarters for questioning in Kuala Lumpur on Friday. Photo: AP

Published: 2:43am, 21 Aug 2019Updated: 11:15am, 21 Aug 2019

Police said on Tuesday that an Indian Muslim preacher, wanted in India for alleged money laundering and hate speech, has been banned from public activities after racial slurs in his recent speeches sparked outrage in Malaysia.

Zakir Naik was grilled a second time by police on Monday for 10 hours after they received more than 100 complaints over remarks he made questioning the loyalty of minority Hindus and saying that ethnic Chinese are guests in Malaysia.

Police spokesman Asmawati Ahmad said all public activities involving Naik are banned to “avoid any controversy and hostility and the potential to cause a tense atmosphere” in the multi-ethnic country.

She said police will advise all parties organising public talks involving Naik to halt the events.

A man looks at a Zakir Naik video on YouTube in Jakarta in February. Photo: Agoes Rudianto

Race is a sensitive issue in Malaysia, where ethnic Malay Muslims make up about two-thirds of its 32 million people, with large Chinese and Indian minorities.