Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali compared Islamic preacher Dr Zakir Naik’s situation to that of Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah when she was arrested under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) last year.
Ibrahim said Zakir needs protection as the preacher is worried he will be treated badly by authorities in India.
“It is the same with Maria and other activists who were arrested, there are many who worried whether they will be treated badly. There are also those who question the police’s treatment of Sosma detainees.
“That is the same with Zakir’s fear of the authorities in India,” Ibrahim said during a press conference after the Perkasa roundtable about China’s investment in Malaysia today.
Maria spent 11 days detained in solitary confinement under Sosma in November last year, where she was investigated under Section 124C of the Penal Code for activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy.
Previously, Zakir had said he would not return to India for fear of torture though he said he is willing to give his statement to the authorities via tele-conference, or on a neutral ground like Malaysia.
Yesterday, The Times of India reported that the Indian National Investigation Agency (NIA) court had issued a second arrest warrant against Zakir.
Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had on April 18 confirmed that Zakir was issued permanent resident (PR) status five years ago.
Ibrahim said that any minister who does not agree with the PR status given to Zakir should resign, such as MIC president Dr S Subramaniam.
“He is the health minister and it is not under his portfolio. It is the decision of the Home Ministry anyway.
“If someone without any position in MIC said this, it would be fine but he (Subramaniam) is a minister.
“So, any minister who talks about the official decision by the government should resign,” Ibrahim said.
Subramaniam had previously described Zakir as an “avoidable distraction”.
Perkasa economy and national agenda bureau chief Ruhanie Ahmad also urged Subramaniam to resign over the same issue.
“The decision was made by the home minister and it was accepted by the entire cabinet.
“He is a minister in the cabinet. If he does not agree, he can resign,” Ruhanie said.- Mkini
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