What’s the status on the ban against Zakir Naik? Home Minister explains

Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail reveled that the ban put in place against controversial Indian Muslim preacher Zakir Naik from delivering public speeches was only in the year 2019.

“When investigations were launched against him in 2019, he was banned from delivering any ceramah during that period (of investigations).

“I have just checked on this again and there is no longer a ban against him, as it was only imposed pending the investigations against his two speeches.

“So, to answer the question from Jelutong MP (RSN Rayer) whether there is still a ban (against Zakir) today, the answer is no,” Saifuddin said in his winding-up speech earlier this afternoon.

Rayer had asked whether the police cancelled a nationwide ban on Zakir after the preacher gave a speech at a Islamic programme in Perlis.

The ban on Zakir was imposed in 2019 as he claimed that the Hindus and Chinese were “pendatang” while delivering a lecture in Kota Bharu, Kelantan.