Time for Naik's extradition
Zakir Naik continues to spew venom operating from the Malaysian turf, enjoying the state’s patronage
Amid the spiralling incidents of terror, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his address at the recently held summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) at Bishkek came down heavily on the sponsors of terrorism, also responsible for aiding, funding and abetting terror. He emphatically called upon the leaders present at the summit to hold to account those complicit in fomenting terror.
Later, Indian External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, while addressing the fifth conference on Intervention and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) in Dushanbe, Tajikistan (June 15) highlighted the fact that CICA members are victims of terror and today terrorism is the gravest threat we face. His comments, so forthright, also spelt out that terrorism and terrorists' victims cannot be equated. Incidentally, CICA is a Pan Asia forum for enhancing cooperation for promoting peace, security and stability in Asia.
Both, Prime Minister Modi and his EAM, chose the right forum before the right audience to air their concerns about the growing terror and such rhetoric augured well with other important world leaders like Vladimir Putin of Russia and Xi Jinping of China. However, such important noise notwithstanding, the Malaysian Prime Minister, Mahathir Bin Mohamad seems unmoved in this stubborn thinking as he refuses to extradite hate preacher and propaganda activist of radical Islam Zakir Naik who is comfortably sheltered in Malaysia enjoying a Permanent Residency status.
Zakir continues to spew venom hurting all the other religions other than Islam operating from the Malaysian turf enjoying the state patronage. It is really unbecoming of a leader like Mahathir to overlook friendly ties with India by hardening his stance in tolerating a Wahabi radical like Naik when almost the entire world is afflicted with terror be it New Zealand, Sri Lanka, et al.
Very recently, Mahathir during addressing a function of home schemes in Jasin, Malaysia asserted (June 10) that his country has the right not to extradite Zakir Naik to India as he is not going to get justice in India. Prime Minister's open support to a fugitive from India, facing serious money laundering charges by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is further emboldening Naik who has the gumption and audacity of being repeatedly defiant in his outbursts against India and its judicial system.
ED, meanwhile, is in touch with Interpol to get a Non-Bailable Warrant issued against Naik to hasten his extradition process. It is assessed that these developments have possibly led to a kind of panic reaction in Malaysia leading to Mahathir and Naik speaking in a tone marked with belligerence.
Political analysts find it hard to comprehend that Mahathir would be so difficult in openly supporting Naik and his activities. Even the principal source of Wahabism, Saudi Arabia subtly passed on Naik to Malaysia apparently to avoid complications.
Significantly, in Malaysia itself, activist lawyer, Siti Kasim has recently criticised Mahathir on his decision to not extradite Naik. Mahatir has been refusing extradition harping his old tune that Australia has been refusing to deport a Malaysian national, Sirul, facing death charges for murdering a Mongolian model in 2015. Kasim's argument (June 11) holds much water when he says Sirul had already undergone the judicial process before he was convicted while Naik is yet to face the trail in India hence he remains a fit case for extradition.
In the meantime, the Hindu bodies active in Malaysia, are getting critical of Mahathir for his unqualified support to Naik on grounds of religious affinity which is highly discriminatory. The advisor of the Hindu Agamam Ani Malaysia has also specifically questioned Mahathir for blocking Naik's extradition. Plans are afoot, in the meantime, amongst the Hindu outfits to hold protest demonstrations in front of the Malaysian Home Ministry if Naik is not extradited. This gives an idea of how Mahatir's unilateral action is met with stiff opposition in creating public opinion against Naik.
While dwelling upon Zakir Naik's extradition issue and support from Mahathir, it is important to examine Pakistan's role. Mahathir was on a state visit to Pakistan in the recent months (March 22) to attend the national day celebrations. He was accorded an extraordinary welcome by Prime Minister Imran Khan, decorated with high honour and holding of exclusive closed-door parleys.
This apart, Mahathir, while in London on June 15, held a good six-minute telephonic talk with Imran Khan. While it's not known what all transpired in the telephonic conversation, experts believe that Imran expressly sought Malaysia's support from Pakistan being blacklisted by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), after India had put forth motion against Pakistan on charges of money laundering linked to terrorism. Also, the Malaysian Foreign Minister, Saifuddin Abdullah recently claimed that Pakistan enjoying the support from Malaysia and Turkey, chances of Pakistan being blacklisted are slim. However, such claims are hollow but the point which is noteworthy is the growing ties between Pakistan and Malaysia, and in this light, it shouldn't be surprising if Pakistan is lending support to Malaysia in its support to Zakir Naik in not extraditing.
The perils of Zakir Naik remaining in Malaysia, inter alia, are strengthening his activities further as encouraged by his hosts, he would continue to spread hate ultimately taking shape of terror, radicalising the youth by misleading through his preachings of discord giving muscle to the terrorists in the making. Also, Malaysia borders southern Thailand which is already reeling under religious extremism with intermittent incidents of terror. Zakir's toxic speeches can transcend borders and further complicate things which are totally detrimental to the ongoing united efforts by the world leaders to contain the rise of fundamentalism and terror.
India would do well to further step up its diplomatic efforts as it did in the case of Masood Azhar of Jaish, to ensure Zakir Naik's early extradition. Such an act will act as a deterrent to others spreading animosity and promoting terror.
(The writer is a retired IPS officer is a security analyst.He was also formerly the National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of Mauritius. Views expressed are strictly personal)