Just when we thought we’d seen the last of him, pictures of Dr Zakir Naik in past meetings with key leaders of Pakatan Harapan have been making the rounds on chat groups and social media.
This is an alleged “public relations” campaign run by the followers of the embattled preacher to help him improve his ties with the new government.
Source: Free Malaysia Today
According to Free Malaysia Today, reliable sources have said that supporters were happy that the Indian Muslim preacher managed to greet Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad at the Putrajaya mosque yesterday.
Naik has been almost a permanent feature at the Putrajaya mosque every week, where government ministers and key officials attend their Friday prayers. However, he is wanted in India over accusations of money laundering and the spread of extremism, but Naik has strongly rejected these charges.
“Naik has always moved within powerful circles, whether in Malaysia or abroad. This modus operandi of his has so far ensured him refuge from attempts to have him deported to India,” the source told FMT under conditions of strict anonymity.
“Whether or not the PR campaign by Naik’s followers will succeed, remains to be seen. But it will likely not sit well with government supporters including Pakatan Harapan’s partner Hindraf,” the same source told FMT.
Naik is known for inciting some negative reactions with his speeches on “comparative studies” which have angered both non-Muslim groups in Malaysia and in India. Hindraf and other several other civil society groups had taken the previous government to court, accusing it of “harbouring” Naik by giving him permanent resident status only to have the suit thrown out.
Many netizens online states that it’s ridiculous that this preacher is still around when he has done nothing but cause disunity among our people. Hopefully, nothing will come of this alleged PR campaign, and our new government will take proper action against him and his extremist views.
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