GEORGE TOWN: Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abd Rahman today echoed state mufti Datuk Seri Dr Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor's sentiment that controversial Muslim preacher Dr Zakir Naik is not an “extremist”.
He said while Zakir is not a terrorist with extremist views, Penang's ban on the preacher still stands.
“Zakir's views are not extremist...maybe just the way he preaches, which is not suitable for Penang and the country.
“Maybe on a different scale and audience, maybe a closed audience, maybe that will be okay, but not here in Penang," he told newsmen today.
He was asked to comment on Wan Salim's statement earlier who urged the people, especially the non-Muslims, to stop accusing Zakir as being an “extremist” or “slanderer”.
Zakiyuiddin said as of today, Penang has not received any application for Zakir to hold talks here.
"As a precaution, we discouraged him from coming here when he met us last year," he added.
Zakiyuddin also said that Wan Salim and his defence of Zakir as an Islamic preacher should not be viewed as a green light for him to preach in Penang.
“It is two different things...saying he is not an extremist and not allowing him to preach here.
"Many are also against calls for (Dr) Zakir to be extradited back to India but this does not equate to saying his talks are suitable for Penang or Malaysia." he said.
Earlier today, Wan Salim had described Zakir as someone “very open” and willing to engage in a dialogue with anyone scientifically and rationally.
He said that it was because Zakir's excellent grasp in comparative religion that he has been viewed as enemy by those who can’t face up to him.
Earlier today, Zakir apologised to the non-Muslims for hurting them on his recent remarks, which he said was “taken out of context”.
He said although he had clarified his stance to the police, he felt he owed an apology to everyone who felt hurt because of the “misunderstanding”.
Police had called in Zakir to record his statement last Friday and yesterday over his alleged racist remarks.
He is being probed under Section 504 of the Penal Code for intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace.
The preacher, who is a Malaysian permanent resident, is alleged to have made controversial remarks against Malaysian Hindus and Malaysian Chinese during a talk in Kota Baru on Aug 8, prompting calls for him to be deported back to India.