KUALA LUMPUR — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim confirmed today that India’s request for the extradition of controversial preacher Zakir Naik remains on the agenda, but stressed that any decision must be handled with great care.
In an exclusive interview with Indian news outlet New Delhi Television (NDTV) yesterday, Anwar said discussions on the matter were held behind closed doors as Malaysia and India sought to protect their respective interests while strengthening bilateral relations.
“We think this matter needs to remain confidential to protect the interests of both countries. But, of course, we have put it on the list of priorities to build trust and relations between the two countries,” he was quoted as saying.
Anwar said any action concerning India’s extradition request must take into account the rule of law as well as the wider interests of bilateral ties.
The Prime Minister had met his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on Sept 12 during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi.
India has been seeking Zakir’s extradition over allegations including money laundering and hate speech.
In 2019, then Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah confirmed that the Malaysian government had received an extradition request from India for Zakir, who holds permanent resident status in Malaysia.
However, Putrajaya subsequently decided against extraditing the Indian national.
Zakir has been accused by Indian authorities of laundering more than 1.93 billion rupees (RM115.66 million), allegedly derived from criminal activities in India and abroad.
The preacher has previously said he was prepared to return to India provided the country’s Supreme Court gave a written assurance that he would not be detained or imprisoned until he was convicted.
Zakir has also faced scrutiny in Malaysia following remarks he made about the country’s Indian and Chinese communities, which resulted in more than 100 police reports being lodged against him.
Authorities subsequently imposed a ban on him speaking publicly.
However, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said last year that the speaking ban was only in force in 2019.
His clarification came after DAP lawmaker RSN Rayer questioned whether the ban remained in effect following Zakir’s appearance as a guest speaker at a religious event in Perlis. – September 14, 2026