New Delhi:In a key development in India-Malaysia ties, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has indicated that his government may consider India's request to extradite controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik if it provides evidence against him.
At an interactive session at the Indian Council of World Affairs here on Tuesday, Ibrahim also said that the issue shouldn't deter the two countries from enhancing bilateral relations. To a specific question, he said the issue was not raised by the Indian side during Tuesday's talks. Naik is wanted by the Indian authorities for alleged money laundering and inciting extremism through hate speeches. He left India in 2016.
The Islamic preacher was granted permanent residency in Malaysia by the previous government led by Mahathir Mohamed. "Firstly, it was not raised by the (Indian side), Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) did raise it much earlier, some years back...But the issue is I am not talking about one person, I am talking about the sentiment of extremism, of a compelling case and evidence that suggest the atrocities committed by an individual or group or faction or parties," Ibrahim said.
The Malaysian prime minister said his government is "open to any ideas and evidence submitted". "We will not condone terrorism...We have been tough and we have been working together with India on many of these issues, against terrorism. But I don't think this one case should deter us from further collaboration and enhancing our bilateral cooperation," he said.