Activists file civil suit demanding Zakir Naik’s arrest

Activists speak to members of the media at a press conference after filing a civil suit on Dr Zakir Naik at the Kuala Lumpur Courts Complex March 1, 2017. — Picture by Zurairi AR More



KUALA LUMPUR, March 1 — A group of 19 human rights activists filed a civil suit against the Malaysian government today, accusing it of failing to protect the country against controversial televangelist Dr Zakir Naik.

The suit, among others, sought a government declaration that Dr Zakir was a threat to national security, called for a ban to prevent him from entering the country, and for him to be arrested and deported immediately.

The group, comprising plaintiffs from different religious and ethnic backgrounds, said Dr Zakir was an "undesirable person" and "a preacher of hate" who was currently roaming free in Malaysia.

The four defendants named in the suit were Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, the Immigration Department director-general, the National Registration Department director-general, and the Government of Malaysia.