[UPDATED] Zakir Naik’s expulsion, not extradition, enough for India, says Thomas

KUALA LUMPUR – India would have been satisfied with Malaysia expelling Zakir Naik even if it did not extradite the controversial preacher, said former attorney-general Tommy Thomas.

In his new book, My Story: Justice in the Wilderness, Thomas said he met the Indian high commissioner during his tenure, and was told that it was not necessary to have Zakir extradited.

“Instead, India just wanted Malaysia to expel him from our shores. Where Zakir travelled to thereafter was not Malaysia’s concern, and India would be happy that a thorn in bilateral ties had disappeared.”

India, however, has always been consistent on extradition, saying it is never prepared to compromise on having Zakir back on Indian soil.

It has maintained on numerous occasions that nothing less than an extradition would suffice, as the preacher is wanted for various crimes, including terrorism, in his home country.

Thomas said when he referred the matter to the inspector-general of police, he was informed that police had no objections.

He revealed that when Zakir was granted permanent resident status by Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who was deputy prime minister and home minister in the Barisan Nasional government, the Bagan Datuk MP had gone against Special Branch’s advice.

After getting the nod from police following his meeting with the IGP, Thomas said he briefed then prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on the matter. 

However, he said, Dr Mahathir was not agreeable to his recommendation of expulsion, and the Langkawi MP asked that the matter be left with him. 

“Over time, I brought up the subject of Zakir a couple of times with the prime minister. On each occasion, the response was the same. No third country wished to accept Zakir.

“My observation that that would mean Malaysia was hostage to Zakir and would have to provide him with a home did not move Tun.”

When the issue was discussed further with IGP Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador, Thomas was told that no Muslim country in the world wanted Zakir, including Pakistan, Iran, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. 

The Mumbai-born preacher has been wanted by Indian authorities since 2016 on charges of money laundering and inciting extremism through hate speech.

It was reported last month that a Malaysia-based Rohingya outfit alleged to have financial ties with Zakir had plans to launch terror attacks in India.

Indian intelligence intercepted crucial financial transactions between the group, Rohingya leader Mohammed Naseer and Zakir, with the group believed to be at an advanced stage of orchestrating strikes in various parts of the country.

The book by Thomas, who was AG from June 2018 to February last year, was published by the Strategic Information and Research Development Centre. It is available for purchase on the Gerakbudaya website. – The Vibes, January 31, 2021