K. SILADASS

ZAKIR NAIK MUST LEAVE MALAYSIA

By K.Siladass

It is strange that Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad was very quick to accuse Gong Dong, the Chinese educationist group as racists but maintains absolute brutal silence on the daring, mischievous and venomous accusation heaped by the Indian fugitive Zakir Naik on the Malaysian Indians. He has not spared our Chinese brethren, for he brazenly tells them to leave Malaysia. A foreigner whose purported criminal activities had prompted the Indian Government to initiate extradiction proceedings, has the temerity to challenge Malaysians. A foreigner is questioning the Indians’ loyalty and demanding that the Chinese should leave are matters that could ignite racial tension, yet there is no response from the Prime Minister and the Minister for Home Affairs.

The Indian run away fugitive who has been given Malaysian permanent-resident-status had been denied entry in many countries, and Mahathir himself has confirmed this. Mahathir should have studied the reasons why he is denied entry in various countries. The suggestion that foreign criminals could be safe in this country just as other criminals, or those who are suspected to be criminals, seems too real.

Zakir who has no respect for the laws of his country of birth has no qualms to question Malaysian Indians’ loyalty. By abusing the hospitality extended to him,he has thereby shown that his motive is to create discontent among Malaysians. Mahathir is not concerned about this and has not seen it important to condemn Zakir Naik, and he has not come to the defence of Malaysians from the unjustifiable attack by a foreigner, fugitive, wanted by his country.

It is heartening to note that not all Malaysians share Mahathir's intolerable silence. The President of the Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan, retired Brigadier-General Datuk Mohamed Arshad Raji has condemned Zakir Naik and warned him to keep away from controversy. Zakir Naik is dishonest with hidden agenda. Those who have joined in calling for his removal from Malaysian soil are Tan Sri Rais Yatim, a prominent lawyer, and former cabinet minister, the present minister for Youth and Sports, Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman, and Mahathir’s daughter Marina. The warning is timely and clear. Zakir has no place under the Malaysian sun. He has to go.

Mahathir should appreciate that Gong Dong is Malaysian by origin, it exists legally and is managed by Malaysian citizens and its concern should be treated with respect. Hurling insensitive remarks would not help.They are not fugitives or the likes of foul and venom spewing Zakir Naik.