Will PM Modi extradite Zakir Naik? Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim says open to evidence from India

New Delhi: In an exclusive interview with India Today, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim addressed the ongoing extradition request for controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, stating he is "open to any evidence" provided by India. However, he emphasized that Naik, who resides in Malaysia, has not made any controversial statements against India during his time there.

"As long as Zakir Naik does not create problems or threatens security, we will let this matter rest. But we are open to any evidence that India provides to extradite him under the law," Ibrahim said. This statement comes as Ibrahim makes his first official visit to India since becoming Malaysia's Prime Minister in 2022. During his visit, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reportedly raised the extradition issue with him.

Naik, originally from Mumbai, fled India in 2016 amid accusations of spreading hatred and money laundering. The Indian government banned his Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), and Naik has since been granted permanent residency in Malaysia, under the former Mahathir Mohamed administration.

What did Anwar say on Kashmir and Rohingya migrants?

When asked about the Kashmir issue, the Malaysian PM declined to comment, stating that it is a "purely domestic issue" for India. "We have not taken an open position on Kashmir. We need peace and security, and we need to reduce tensions," Ibrahim said, distancing himself from the controversy that flared during the tenure of former PM Mahathir Mohamed, who had criticized India’s policies in Jammu and Kashmir.

Ibrahim did, however, express concern over the treatment of religious and ethnic minorities in India. "Like India has the right to question Malaysia, so do we on concerns over religious and ethnic minorities," he added.

Regarding the ongoing Rohingya refugee crisis, Ibrahim acknowledged the difficulties Malaysia faces in accommodating the influx of refugees, numbering around 200,000 in the country. "We have to protect them, but the situation is causing hardships for Malaysia," he said.

Strengthening bilateral ties

During his visit, Anwar Ibrahim also extended an invitation to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur next year, which PM Modi has accepted. The visit is expected to bolster India-Malaysia relations, especially in the context of increasing multi-sectoral cooperation.