Citizens file originating summons against Zakir Naik

KUALA LUMPUR: Some 19 citizens including human rights activists have jointly filed an originating summons against controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik on grounds that he is a threat to national security and public order.
The group, led by lawyer and Hindraf chairman P. Waytha Moorthy, is among others seeking a court order to ban Zakir from entering Malaysia and to immediately arrest and deport him if he remains in the country.
Waytha, who is also former Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, said that the government has been silent on whether Zakir is a permanent resident and of his whereabouts in the country.
They have named Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Immigration director-general, National Registration Department director-general, Inspector-General of Police and the government as defendants.
"Zakir Naik is known internationally for his speeches, which encourages, radicalises and incites terrorism and ill feelings amongst different religious groups.
"He is surely a threat to our national security, public order and to the peaceful co-existence of multi-racial Malaysians," Waytha told a press conference after filing the originating summons.
Reiterating that this is not an action against Islam or religious practice, the group in a joint statement said the move follows news reports of several incidents including the Dhaka bombing in July last year, allegedly related to Zakir's teachings and ideology.
The group of 19, include political analyst Dr Lim Teck Ghee, politician Datuk Geoffrey Kitingan, lawyer and activist Siti Zabedah Kassim and activist Asiah Abd Jalil.