KUALA LUMPUR: Putrajaya has dismissed allegation that controversial Muslim preacher Dr Zakir Naik, who is believed to be in the country, has been awarded Malaysian citizenship.
Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed said this was because it would take a long time before a person was given citizenship.
“We don’t give out (citizenships) automatically unless the person was born in the country to Malaysian parents," he said.
He pointed out that Zakir was not considered an important religious figure for the Southeast Asia region to necessitate citizenship.
“There are many processes to follow and it takes decades to become a Malaysian citizen.
"Besides, Dr Zakir is not an important religious personality for the Southeast Asia region as we should have our own moderate model of Islam which fits the soft culture of the people here.
“He is more Indian and South Asia-centric but some of his ideas can be used here. That's why he was awarded the Tokoh Maal Hijrah award,” he told the New Straits Times when contacted.
Nur Jazlan was commenting on a report by Hindustan Times in India, that claimed Zakir had been given Malaysian citizenship and was hiding in the country after Indian authorities banned his Islamic Research Foundation (IRF).
In the report, it was said that Zakir now holds dual Indian-Malaysian citizenship.
One of Dr Zakir’s representatives was quoted as saying that the Malaysian citizenship was offered as a package deal to the Muslim preacher when he was awarded the Tokoh Maal Hijrah award back in 2013.
When asked if action would be taken against the report, Nur Jazlan replied in the negative.
"The Hindustan Times is a foreign newspaper which is not circulated in Malaysia, so no action will be taken by the Home Ministry,” Nur Jazlan added.
It was reported that India’s National Investigation Agency was considering terror charges against Zakir, based on testimonies of about 50 terror suspects and convicts recorded from various jails, with those caught citing him as their motivation and source of inspiration.