Malaysian PM rejects Zakir Naik's extradition request

Kuala Lumpur/New Delhi: In what can be seen as a temporary set back to Indian authorities, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Friday that Islamic preacher Zakir Naik wanted in India over allegations of terror-related activities will not be sent back. 

"As long as he is not creating any problem here in Malaysia, we will not deport him. Naik has a permanent residency status," Mr Mohamad said at a news conference at Putrajaya near Kuala Lumpur.

Naik, the radical television preacher, is alleged to have been responsible for his hate speech instigating youngsters in Bangladesh for infamous Dhaka siege of July 2016.

On Thursday, MEA spokesman Raveesh Kumar had said that India's request for Naik's extradition was under consideration of the Malaysian government.There are multiple probes against Naik by NIA and also the Enforcement Directorate.

On Thursday, Naik, as reported in the media widely, had said: "The news of my coming to India is totally baseless and false. I have no plans to come to India till I don't feel safe from unfair prosecution. Insha Allah when I feel that the government will be just and fair, I will surely return to my homeland."(UNI)