Malaysia Bans Zakir Naik From Giving Speeches Anywhere In This Country

By Ameera Rosli  •  20 Aug 2019 in News

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Bersatu teguh, bercerai roboh. Malaysia unites against Zakir Naik with a ban that prohibits him from giving speeches anywhere in our country.

After his incendiary statement that targets the Chinese-Malaysians to “go back to their own country”, authorities have now banned the evangelist speaker from propagating his racially-driven and harmful talks on religion. Royal Malaysian Police Head of Corporate Communications, Datuk Asmawati Ahmad, told MalayMail that, “Yes. Such an order has been given to all police contingents, and this was done in the interest of national security and to preserve racial harmony.”

Before the announcement by PDRM was made, six states–Johor, Selangor, Penang, Kedah, Perlis and Sarawak–had already agreed to not allow Zakir Naik from spreading his combative talks that could potentially disturb the peace within races, especially since Malaysia has worked arduously in achieving synergy within our cultures for decades.

He had approached Penang recently regarding permission to give speeches but Deputy Chief Minister 1 Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman replied with, “…[We] immediately told him that we felt whatever he wanted to talk about would not be suitable.”

In Kelantan, Zakir Naik persisted in his self-propaganda by questioning the loyalty of the Indian-Malaysians who did not support his sentiments. Naturally, this further fuelled the government’s wrath towards him, and coupled with 115 public complaints, led to an ongoing police investigation under Section 504 of the Penal Code for intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace.

To top things off, the preacher is also facing charges for alleged money laundering and promoting terrorism in his homeland, India.

He has since, after insurmountable backlash, apologised for his racist remarks but of course, the damage has been done and there’s no saving grace that could possibly ameliorate the situation. Within his apology, he managed to insert comments denying that he is racist despite his blatant bigotry that was seen through his mindset pertaining to Chinese-Malaysians. He said,

“Even though I have clarified myself, I feel I owe an apology to everyone who feels hurt because of this misunderstanding. I do not want any of you to harbour ill feelings for me. It was never my intention to upset any individual or community.

“It is against the basic tenets of Islam, and I would like to convey my heartfelt apologies for this misunderstanding.”

He attempted to explain himself by pleading for Malaysians to watch his speech in its entirety, but transcripts of aforementioned speeches has since been released and there is no room for misinterpretation. He specifically said that ethnic Chinese were “old guests” in Malaysia who should leave the country.

Prime Minister, Dr Mahathir rebuke Zakir Naik’s statements, stating that the preacher has transgressed a dangerous line in politics. Allegedly, if he is found guilty of the previous mentioned offences, his permanent residency may be revoked.

Many have accused Zakir Naik for stirring up the racial pot in order to gain publicity for his speeches which is not hard to disagree with. The controversy has imploded on the preacher and he is now picking up the debris of his totalled career.

This just goes to show that when Malaysians band together, nothing is impossible and when you try to disrupt that unity, trouble is coming your way.

Click here to read Twitter’s response to Zakir Naik’s asinine ‘go back’ statement that fuelled this fire. 

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