KUALA LUMPUR: All parties must adhere to the provision provided under the Extradition Act 1992 (Act 479) which allows fugitives to be treated fairly in accordance with the laws.
Human Rights and International Relations chairman of Malaysia Syarie Lawyers Association (PGSM) Datuk Hazizah Kassim said although Malaysia has extradition agreement with many countries, Act 479 was still in force.
“On issues related to preacher Dr Zakir Naik, certain quarters cannot simply urge the government to send him to his country of origin (India).
“Act 479 is in force on Zakir. Under Section 47 of the Act, it gives authority to the Home Minister to release or withhold a fugitive.
“(And) an application to extraditate must be made not for political interests,” she said when contacted today.
Hazizah was speaking in response to calls by several groups which urged the government to deport Zakir following his alleged tendencies to make racial and religiously insensitive statements.
Commenting further, Hazizah said based on the Act, any fugitive was given space to challenge the process in court.
“The extradition process is not made automatically but based on laws and provisions provided under it.
“Zakir has permanent residency status and as long as he has not created any problem or committed any crime. He is entitled to fair justice,” she said.
Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasamy reportedly said that the extradition agreement between Malaysia and India, which was inked in 2010, must be honoured, including in the case of Zakir.
Indian media on Wednesday said that its government has requested for Zakir to be deported to the country.
It was reported that an official request for the preacher who left India in 2016 was made to Putrajaya.
However, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad yesterday said Zakir would not be deported and would remain in the country as long as he was not creating any problem, as he has been granted a permanent resident status here.
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