Outrage in Malaysia as Zakir Naik suggests Chinese expulsion
Indian Muslim preacher Zakir Naik has ignited outrage in Malaysia after suggesting the expulsion of its ethnic Chinese minorities, even as the country’s cabinet mulls the possibility of cancelling his permanent residency.
(Al Jazeera) – On Wednesday, two ministers told Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad at a cabinet meeting that Naik needs to be deported as his speeches were “inflammatory in nature”.
At least four cabinet ministers have called for Naik’s deportation along with other senior politicians.
“We have expressed our position which is that action must be taken and that Zakir Naik should no longer be allowed to remain in Malaysia,” said Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo and Human Resources Minister M Kulasegaran in a joint statement.
“The Prime Minister has taken note of our concerns. We leave it to him to consider the position and to decide soonest possible what will be done to deal with the problem,” the statement said.
Sources with knowledge of the cabinet meeting told Al Jazeera that Mahathir said he “will solve the problem”.
“But he gave no details,” the source added.
It was unclear when the cabinet will make a decision on Naik.
