Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed openness to considering any evidence provided by India regarding its request for the extradition of controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik. Ibrahim, who is visiting India for the first time since assuming office in 2022, emphasized that Naik has not made any controversial statements about India while in Malaysia.
“As long as Zakir Naik does not pose a threat to security or create problems, we will allow the matter to rest. However, we are open to reviewing any evidence India presents to support his extradition under the law,” Ibrahim stated. He noted that the extradition issue was discussed with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar during their meeting.
Zakir Naik, born in Mumbai, left India in 2016 amid allegations of promoting hatred and money laundering. He was granted permanent residency in Malaysia by the previous government led by Mahathir Mohamad, which had been a point of contention for India. Naik’s Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) has been banned in India.
On the topic of Kashmir, Ibrahim chose not to take a stance, labeling it a “purely domestic issue” for India. “We have not taken a position on Kashmir. Our focus is on peace and security and reducing tensions,” he said. His comments follow heightened tensions between Malaysia and India, which arose from former Malaysian PM Mahathir Mohamad’s criticism of India’s actions regarding Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
Ibrahim did, however, voice concern over the treatment of religious and ethnic minorities in India. “Just as India has the right to question Malaysia, we also have concerns about the status of religious and ethnic minorities,” he remarked.
During his visit, Ibrahim met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has been invited to the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur next year, an invitation Modi accepted. The two nations also agreed to elevate their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership and signed eight agreements.
Addressing the Rohingya refugee crisis, Ibrahim acknowledged its impact on Malaysia, stating, “We must protect them, but having 200,000 refugees in Malaysia is creating significant challenges.” Malaysia, a key destination for Rohingya refugees fleeing persecution in Myanmar and Bangladesh, currently hosts over 180,000 refugees and asylum seekers. Although Malaysia does not officially grant refugee status, many refugees remain in the country illegally after arriving by sea.
