Muhyiddin: Zakir Naik not on Interpol red notice list

KUALA LUMPUR: Controversial preacher Dr Zakir Naik is not on Interpol’s red notice list of individuals for whom there is a request to locate and arrest pending extradition.
He is also not a suspected terrorist listed under the United Nation Security Council Resolutions list.
Home Affairs Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said this in a Parliamentary written reply to Tuan Syed Ibrahim Tuan Man (PAS-Kubang Kerian) who asked for an update on the extradition request for Zakir by the Indian government.
An Interpol red notice is usually issued at the request of a member country of Interpol or an international tribunal based on a valid national arrest warrant.
“The entry of Zakir to Malaysia in the past was not prevented as it was in accordance with procedures and adheres to the rules, regulations and laws of the state.
“Zakir was not given any special treatment or passage as alleged on social media,” said Muhyiddin.
The minister acknowledged that Malaysia had received a provisional arrest application from the Indian government, based on a diplomatic note dated Dec 29, 2017.
The Indian government followed up on the request on Jan 19, 2018.
“There is a provision in the Treaty of Extradition between the Government of Malaysia and the Government of the Republic of India and the Extradition Act 1992 (Act 479) which provides for exceptions to such extraditions if it is found that the alleged offender may be denied a fair trial and persecuted for his/her race, religion, citizenship and/or political beliefs.”
“Based on that criteria, Malaysia is entitled not to grant the extradition request as defined in Article 6 Paragraph (1) (a) of the Treaty of Extradition, without having to specify the reason for the rejection of the extradition request.
“In addition, there is a provision not to continue the extradition process in the interest of justice if the subject will not get justice if repatriated or faces oppression and a threat to his/her life,” said Muhyiddin.
Earlier, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had said that he would not send Zakir back to India as the latter feared he would not receive a fair trial in the subcontinent.
On June 28, Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said the government had received a formal application from India to extradite Zakir on money laundering charges.
However, Saifuddin reiterated that the government would stand by Mahathir’s decision.