Anwar confirms 'private' talks with India on Zakir's extradition, stresses caution

Anwar confirms 'private' talks with India on Zakir's extradition, stresses caution

Published: Sep 14, 2026 4:52 PM


The extradition of controversial preacher Zakir Naik, who is wanted in his home country of India for alleged money laundering and hate speech, was reportedly featured in talks between Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the republic’s representatives.

According to Indian news site New Delhi Television, Anwar confirmed that engagements on the matter had been held in “private discussions” believed to have taken place in New Delhi.

“We thought we should keep it very private to protect the interests of both nations. But we, of course, put it on the priority list for building trust and relationship between our countries,” he was quoted as saying in the Sept 12 report.

He added that any potential action on India’s extradition request must be done “very cautiously”, in a way that respects the rule of law and the importance of bilateral relations.

On Sept 12, Anwar also held a bilateral meeting with his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, on the sidelines of the 18th Brics Leaders Summit in New Delhi.


READ MORE: Anwar: Meeting with Tamil Nadu CM Vijay still on the cards


In 2019, then foreign minister Saifuddin Abdullah confirmed that the Malaysian government received India's request to extradite Zakir.

However, Putrajaya at the time decided not to extradite the Indian citizen, who holds permanent resident status in Malaysia.

It was previously reported that Zakir is being charged with laundering more than 1.93 billion rupees (RM115.66 million) from “proceeds of crime in India and overseas”.

Zakir (above) had said that he was prepared to return to India if the Indian Supreme Court assured him in writing that he would not be arrested and jailed until he was convicted.


READ MORE: Dr M likens Zakir Naik's status to Sirul's extradition request


The Islamic preacher had also triggered police investigations in Malaysia after his comments against the local Indian and Chinese community resulted in the lodging of over 100 reports.

While a ban on him speaking in public was imposed soon after, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said last year that the restriction was only in effect in 2019.

READ MORE: NGO slams Saifuddin over lack of gag order against Zakir Naik

The clarification came after DAP MP RSN Rayer had questioned whether the ban was still in place after Zakir was earlier featured as a guest speaker during a religious ceramah in Perlis.