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Sunday, January 31, 2021

Mahathir ignored Thomas' advice on Zakir Naik


FMT:

Dr M told me to avoid open court proceedings in Naik’s case, says Thomas

PETALING JAYA: Former attorney-general Tommy Thomas said Dr Mahathir Mohamad informed him to avoid any open court proceedings in attempts to extradite controversial preacher Dr Zakir Naik.

The lawyer said he met the then prime minister to brief him on the Naik issue sometime in 2018.

Prior to his meeting with Mahathir, the Indian high commissioner met Thomas to discuss Naik and they wanted Malaysia to “expel him from our shores”.

“He (high commissioner Shri Mridul Kumar) was frank. The India-Malaysia relations would not be on an even keel unless the ZN issue was resolved to India’s satisfaction.

“He also agreed that instituting extradition proceedings against Naik in our courts would exacerbate tension.

“I then briefed Tun (Mahathir) on the matter and he agreed any form of court action must be avoided at all cost because that was what exactly Naik would prefer; a platform for him to spew his poison,” Thomas wrote in his memoir, “My Story: Justice in the Wilderness”, on sale now.

He [Thomas] also said he suggested for Naik to be expelled from Malaysia so that “it would be his responsibility to find a home other than India”.

However, he said Mahathir did not accept this solution and told him to leave the matter to him.

“Over time, when I brought up the Naik matter, his response was the same, and that no third country was willing to accept him,” he added.



Thomas said he also spoke to Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador over Naik and was told the police wanted to have Naik removed from Malaysia.

“Tan Sri Hamid said despite their best endeavours, no Muslim country in the world wanted Naik.

“I have mentioned several countries but IGP replied that each of the countries had declined to have Naik,” he said.

Thomas went on to say he was “puzzled” at why his advice over Naik was not accepted by Mahathir.

“At that time, Tun was concerned with adverse religious and racial sentiment concerning the expulsion of Naik (not extradition).

“Tun was constantly haranguing the Malays for being indolent,” Thomas said, adding that if Mahathir had taken his advice and acted on it, Pakatan Harapan would not have suffered politically for long.



3 comments:

  1. Now Zakar Naik hiding in Sanusi’s house? Why MCA and MIC keep quiet? Didn’t he insult Hindus? Didn’t he tell Cina to balik Tongsan? Wee KHAT Siong still stay at home eat Mee Maggi?

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    Replies
    1. yes, Zakir is in Kedah but in one of Atuk's houses. DAP should voiced her objections to their beloved Atuk

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    2. "Zakir is in Kedah but in one of Atuk's houses"
      Another one of those Ah Mok conspiracy theories.
      You put Trump to shame.

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