KUALA LUMPUR – Having scheduled events in Oman was not reason enough for the high court here to allow controversial preacher Zakir Naik’s application to postpone his defamation hearing against Bagan Dalam assemblyman Satees Muniandy.
In a letter to the court dated April 4, Zakir’s lawyers, Akberdin & Co, had requested for the postponement on the basis that the government of Oman had invited their client for religious programmes held for Ramadan.
Zakir, who is believed would be taking the witness stand sometime between April 17 and 20, acknowledged that he could give evidence through Zoom, but would instead like to do so in person.
The controversial preacher’s desire to provide evidence in open court was “so that he will be able to provide clear and accurate explanations without any obstacles,” the letter by Akberdin & Co read.
However, Shamsher Singh Thind, the lawyer representing Satees, objected to Zakir’s application, contending that the preacher should prioritise the trial.
Shamsher argued in a letter to the court on Tuesday that the trial dates had been scheduled since 2021, adding that Zakir should have considered this before making any overseas trip.
He added that, given Satees and himself are based in Penang, they would have to incur expenses for travel and stay in Kuala Lumpur.
Thus, Shamsher argued, should the court allow the postponement, the defence would demand costs from Zakir.
“This is why I have been instructed by the defendant to object to the plaintiff’s application to postpone the proceedings or hold it via Zoom,” Shamser said in the letter.
Zakir, who was not happy with Satees’ objection, said lawyers representing the Bagan Dalam assemblyman had filed court documents late.
“The defence lawyers, through a letter dated March 16, requested an extension of time to file witness statement at/before March 28 because the counsel had to travel to New Delhi and Punjab from March 10 to March 24 for personal reasons that could not be avoided, and we did not oppose the application,” Akberdin’s reply letter said.
Zakir’s lawyers also stated that the defence proposed postponements after discovering the trial dates fell in the month of Ramadan.
“At that time we did not accept the defence proposal, because according to us, fasting is not an obstacle to the proceedings and we are prepared for trial,” the reply letter added.
Zakir is suing Satees over a Malaysiakini article published on August 12, 2019, whereby the DAP representative said the preacher should be deported from Malaysia after alleging Malaysian Indians show more loyalty to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Last month, reports surfaced that Zakir had arrived in Oman for a series of religious programmes.
It was also reported that the Indian high commission in Oman had requested Oman authorities to detain Zakir upon his arrival.
Zakir, who now resides in Malaysia as a permanent resident, is facing allegations in India involving money laundering, terrorism, and inciting religious tensions. – The Vibes, April 6, 2023
