SHAH ALAM: PKR will announce its stand on calls for Dr Zakir Naik to be deported to his home country on Wednesday, after its political bureau meeting.
PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he asked for a few days before a meeting is held with party leaders as he had just returned from Makkah.
While he was there, Anwar said he was focused on performing the haj and did not follow the discussions on the issue.
Also to be discussed in the meeting are the issues pertaining to Jawi and Dong Zong.
"I want to hear the opinions of other leaders and we will have a meeting, if I'm not mistaken this Wednesday.
"I have my opinions but I just got back and also the leadership wants to present their views as they have been following the matter more closely," he said after officiating the Professional Motivators Convention, here, today.
The Port Dickson MP said the issues in question were debatable and the rakyat was angry.
Therefore, he said there was a need for a discussion before the party could announce their stand.
"My message is clear, you have to be clear with your principles that this country has its history, Malay leadership and made up of various races and religions with Islam as the Federal religion.
"We should hold on to these principles and I do not believe we should harbour prejudical sentiments when it comes to race and religion.
"I do not believe Islam promotes intolerance and injustice. The principles of Islam is very clear, justice and tolerance, and I hold on to that," he said.
Asked if he would meet the controversial Islamic preacher to get an explanation, Anwar said it was unnecessary.
Instead he said he would read up on the preacher's explanations apart from referring to Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as well as Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad before Wednesday's meeting.
Commenting on the issue of Jawi being taught in schools, Anwar said he viewed it as a petty issue compared to efforts to empower Bahasa Melayu and to ensure good command of the language amongst Malaysians, as well as the quality of national education.