Naik free to attend Melaka prayer session, says Muhyiddin

(FMT) – Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin says there is nothing to stop Dr Zakir Naik from attending a prayer session hosted by Masjid Cina Melaka this weekend despite the nationwide gag order on the controversial preacher, who is under investigation over remarks on the Indian and Chinese communities in Malaysia.

“He is not restricted from attending congregational prayers,” Muhyiddin said in a press conference here today.

Naik was banned from giving public talks through any medium, including social media, following a series of lectures he gave in Kelantan last month.

He allegedly questioned the loyalty of Malaysian Hindus to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and was later quoted as saying the Chinese in Malaysia could also be considered as “guests” in the country.

The preacher, who holds permanent residence in Malaysia, is being investigated under Section 504 of the Penal Code for intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace.

Yesterday, Melaka police chief Raja Shahrom Raja Abdullah said the event organisers had informed him that Naik would not be delivering any lecture during the session.

“So, the police have no problem with that,” he added.