In recent times, Malaysia has seen many defamation cases regarding the controversial Indian Muslim preacher, Zakir Naik.
Justice Hayatul Akmal Abdul Aziz of High Court has recently ordered the former Penang deputy chief minister Ramasamy to pay RM1.5M libel for defaming Zakir between 2017 and 2019.
The preacher's remarks, particularly on August 8, 2019 those concerning the expulsion of ethnic Chinese minorities, had ignited outrage within the nation, prompting cabinet ministers and politicians to call for his deportation. This controversy had not only stirred discussions on race and religion in Malaysia but also presented a significant challenge for the then Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. Here are the events leading up to the outcry and complexities faced by Mahathir's administration in handling the Zakir Naik issue.
The Zakir Naik Controversy
Zakir Naik, a prominent Indian Muslim preacher, was granted permanent residency in Malaysia by the previous government, where he has resided for the past three years. His recent comments, asserting that Hindus in Malaysia have "100 times more rights" than the Muslim minority in India, and insinuating their allegiance to the Indian Prime Minister, have drawn widespread condemnation.
Sensitive Issues: Race and Religion
Malaysia is a diverse nation, comprising approximately 60 percent Muslims, while the remainder consists mainly of ethnic Chinese and Indians, predominantly adherents of Hinduism. Discussions revolving around race and religion have always been sensitive in Malaysia, a country that prides itself on its cultural and religious diversity. Naik's remarks have thus struck a chord within the nation, leading to a surge of public outcry and demands for action.
The Call for Deportation
At least four cabinet ministers, including Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo and Human Resources Minister M Kulasegaran, publicly advocated for Zakir Naik's deportation, citing the inflammatory nature of his speeches. They emphatically expressed their position that action must be taken to address the issue. Their joint statement had placed Mahathir in a challenging position, as he grappled with the decision regarding Naik's residency.
Mahathir Mohamad acknowledged the concerns raised by his ministers, assuring them action to resolve the matter.
The Chinese Minority's Plight
Zakir Naik's comments targeting the ethnic Chinese minority in Malaysia further exacerbated the controversy. Naik suggested that as "guests" of Malaysia, the Chinese community should leave the country. This statement generated significant backlash and trended on social media platforms under the hashtag #ZakirNaik. Malaysian youth and sports minister, Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman, vehemently backed the calls for Naik's deportation, emphasizing that Malaysians, regardless of ethnicity, are family and not guests.
The Naik Predicament: A Balancing Act for Mahathir
Mahathir Mohamad's handling of the Zakir Naik controversy was fraught with complexities. On one hand, there is the imperative to protect freedom of speech and expression, fundamental tenets of any democratic society. On the other, there is a responsibility to ensure that such freedoms are not exploited to sow division or incite hostility within the multicultural Malaysian community.
Zakir Naik later conveyed heartfelt apologies stating that he never intended to upset an individual or a community.
Due to the history of such controversial statements, Zakir has faced many legal cases and he himself has filed many defamation cases and also won those. The general public has mixed thoughts about the way he preaches the Islamic teachings.
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