Malaysia PM Anwar Ibrahim Urges Against Damaging Bilateral Ties Over Zakir Naik Issue

At an interactive session at the Indian Council of World Affairs, Mr Ibrahim expressed his belief that the issue of Zakir Naik should not hinder efforts to strengthen bilateral relations between India and Malaysia. He mentioned that the Indian side did not bring up the issue during the recent talks. Naik is sought by Indian authorities for alleged money laundering and inciting extremism through hate speeches. He departed India in 2016 and was granted permanent residency in Malaysia by the previous government led by Mahathir Mohamed.

Mr Ibrahim emphasized that the concern is not limited to one individual but encompasses the broader issue of extremism, compelling evidence, and atrocities committed by individuals or groups. He assured that Malaysia is open to ideas and evidence submitted by India and is resolute in its stance against terrorism. During his three-day visit to India, the Malaysian Prime Minister also criticized Israel’s military actions in Gaza and condemned what he characterized as sheer hypocrisy in global responses to the situation. He urged an end to the double standards regarding atrocities and emphasized the importance of addressing such issues regardless of the religion or ethnicity of the victims.