According to Malaysiakini, Zakir Naik filed a police report against Human Resources Minister M Kulasegaran, Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy, and three other individuals. Klang Member of Parliament Charles Santiago, Bagan Dalam assemblyperson Satees Muniandy and former ambassador Dennis J Ignatius were also named in the report.
Source: Yahoo News
In the police report, the controversial preacher accused the individuals of defamation due to their statements and articles in response to remarks he made about the Malaysian Chinese and Indian population during a lecture in Kelantan last week. Speaking about the reports, he was quoted by the daily as saying,
“The press releases and articles had misled and confused the public at large towards the true intention of my speech (in Kelantan last week) in preaching peace and harmony among the citizens.”
Source: 1Media
Zakir Naik added that his quotes were taken out of context when he was replying to one of the questions asked after his lecture titled ‘Misconceptions about Islam’, accusing them of manipulating his words for their political agenda. He added that statements they made in response to his comments damaged his reputation and caused the public to condemn him, causing disharmony in Malaysia.
“The ramifications created by the said defamatory statements are unfounded, untrue and defamatory in nature and constitute a grave and bitter slander upon myself,” he continued.
“I lodge this report so as to enable the police to commence an investigation against the said individuals under the Penal Code and/or Sedition Act and other relevant laws for defaming me and for instigating racial disharmony and hatred among the citizens of Malaysia.”
Source: The Indian Express
According to The Star, a letter of demand accused M. Kulasegaran of defaming him in a press release titled “Zakir Naik’s presence in Malaysia is embarrassing to all Malaysians.” He demanded the Human Resources Minister to retract the allegations he made against Naik and apologise, as well as compensate for harming his reputation within 48 hours. The preacher was quoted by Free Malaysia Today as saying,
“He is to make an offer of a reasonable sum of settlement for the damage, embarrassment and humiliation to our client as a result of the (alleged) defamation.”
A defamation suit will reportedly be filed against Kulasegaran if he did not accede to the demands.
It is unclear if the Human Resources Minister and the other individuals responded to the police report and letter of demand from Zakir Naik.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
Also read: Report Claims Zakir Naik’s PR Status is Being Reviewed By Home Ministry
