By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Feb 23: Ba’ Kelalan assemblyman Baru Bian has urged the federal government to reinstate the ban on controversial preacher Zakir Naik, citing concerns over national security and religious harmony.
Expressing disappointment over Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail’s recent statement that the ban on Naik speaking publicly had been lifted, Baru questioned the rationale behind the decision.
“It is incomprehensible to right-thinking Malaysians that the ban was lifted without any justification and no release of reports of the investigations into the incidents complained about.
“When the ban was enforced, the police cited serious concerns over national security and racial harmony. What has become of these concerns?” he asked in a statement today.
Baru also referred to recent remarks by former law minister and ex-Malaysian ambassador to the United States, Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, who defended the enforcement of the Sedition Act to prevent individuals like Naik from making inflammatory remarks about non-Islamic religions.
He echoed Nazri’s stance, emphasising that while freedom of speech is important, it must be balanced against the right of Malaysians to practice their faiths without fear of being insulted or belittled.
Baru pointed out that despite Naik’s past controversial comments about Chinese and Indian Malaysians, no action has been taken against him.
He criticised the preacher for never apologising for his remarks and said lifting the ban suggested the government saw no issue with his words.
“By denigrating other religions, Zakir not only disregards the values of mutual respect and tolerance that are integral to Malaysia’s diverse society but also risks sowing division among its people.
“It is precisely such scenarios that underscore the need for laws like the Sedition Act, which serves as a safeguard against speech that has the potential to incite unrest. While upholding free speech is important, it should not come at the expense of national harmony,” Baru warned.
He further called on the Sarawak government to maintain its ban on Zakir Naik from entering the State, a policy implemented in August 2019 under the late Chief Minister Pehin Sri Adenan Satem.
Additionally, he urged the federal government to reconsider its decision and reinstate the ban on Zakir Naik.
“The ban should remain until he apologises and commits to refraining from making similar remarks in the future.
“National security and harmonious coexistence must never be compromised for political expediency.
“The peace and stability of Malaysia’s social fabric must take precedence over any individual’s right to free speech, particularly when such speech has the potential to incite hatred, intolerance, or discord,” he emphasised.
Yesterday (Feb 22), Sarawak activist and Global Human Rights Federation (M) deputy president Peter John Jaban has urged the Sarawak government to maintain its ban on radical Islamist preacher Zakir Naik, keeping him out from the State.
Noting that Naik has been allowed to hide from prosecution in Malaysia for many years Peter John stated that if Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is unwilling to act, the Sarawak government must continue to safeguard Sarawak’s interests by maintaining a peaceful environment, and upholding inclusivity, tolerance, and social harmony.
He also highlighted that Sarawak’s autonomy in regulating its own immigration policies under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), affirming the State’s right to determine who may enter its borders. – DayakDaily
