KUALA LUMPUR: The police ban on controversial preacher Dr. Zakir Naik is no longer in effect, as it was only enforced in 2019, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
He told the Dewan Rakyat today that the ban, which prevented the Indian-born preacher from delivering any speeches, was only imposed in 2019 when he was under police investigation.
“At the time, the ban was enforced because an investigation was being conducted into two incidents in 2019. When the investigation was opened and carried out, the ban was applied during that year.
“However, the ban no longer applies as it was only in effect during the investigation period regarding his statements in Kota Bharu and Perlis,” he said during his winding-up speech on the Royal Address debate.
He was responding to a question from RSN Rayer (PH-Bukit Jelutong), who sought clarification on whether the ban on Zakir from speaking publicly was still in effect, citing reports that the police had issued a restriction order against him in 2019.
The directive was issued due to national security concerns and to maintain racial harmony after Zakir was accused of making statements suggesting that Malaysian-born Indians were more loyal to India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, than to former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad.
Last week, Rayer expressed his disappointment with the police and the Home Ministry for not addressing his queries regarding Zakir’s ban.
He also questioned whether the directive was still in force after Zakir was invited as a speaker for the International Sunnah Convention held in Perlis.