The controversial Islamic preacher, Dr Zakir Naik, who is reportedly seeking Malaysian citizenship, has not only deeply polarised the Malaysian society but also put the government of ruling coalition Barisan Nasional or the National Front in a bind.
Dr Naik, who is wanted in India on money-laundering and terror-related charges, has created fissures in the ruling Barisan Nasional which comprises three major ethnic political parties - United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), and Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC).
Although the Malaysian government has denied reports of granting citizenship, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirmed on April 18 that Dr Naik was granted permanent resident (PR) status in Malaysia about five years ago.
Fort the first time, two senior of leaders of MCA and MIC, components of the ruling coalition, have raised questions regarding granting him the permanent residence status.
Dr Naik issue hit the headlines when a right wing group Perkasa or Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa (Malay for ‘Mighty Native Organisation’) honoured him with its warrior award for his contributions towards the struggle of Islam.
The Health Minister and MIC president, Dr S Subramaniam, was the first one to express his disagreement over Naik’s stay in Malaysia.
Dr Subramaniam said that Zakir Naik’s activities “are outside the Malaysian context”.
“I don’t think Malaysia needs Zakir Naik,” he added.
“Is he going to contribute to the advancement of Islam in the country? The answer is no,” said Dr Subramaniam.
Dr Subramaniam’s remarks provoked sharp a response from PAS (Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party) when its information chief Nasrudin Hassan reprimanded Health Minister and suggested that his cabinet portfolio did not warrant his interference into the matter.
Perkasa also equally took offence at what it deemed to be non-Muslim meddling in the residency status awarded to Dr Naik by the Malaysian government.
But the issue took a serious turn when ruling coalition partner, MCA, also questioned the PR granted to Dr Naik, pointing to his ability to cause uneasiness and discomfort among the multi-religious and multiracial communities.
MCA’s Religious Bureau chairman Datuk Ti Lian Ker asked the Home Ministry to explain the award, especially when an Indian court has issued a non-bailable warrant him.
Many commentators in media fear that Dr Naik’s presence in Malaysia may further fray racial tensions in the society.
In an article titled “Is Zakir Naik worth the trouble?” in Free Malaysia Today, senior columnist Scot Ng said the controversial preacher has become a national dilemma.
Ng said: “Naik is a controversial figure, to say the least, and while his defenders may argue that the preacher calls for harmony, there is a distinct waft of cultural and religious imperialism in his recorded comments, among which is the infamous statement to the effect that an Islamic country should not allow churches to be built because Christianity is a religion that is ‘wrong’.”
Ng concluded: “ Is Naik truly worth the rift he is causing in our society? One look at the headlines would tell us that ‘no’ would be a reasonable answer. His continued presence appears to be a disruption to the Malaysian way of life.”
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Dr Zakir Naik")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}