The Malaysian government has lifted the five-year ban on controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, allowing him to resume public preaching despite being wanted in India for alleged money laundering.
The decision has sparked strong reactions from politicians and human rights advocates, who warn that Naik’s inflammatory rhetoric could undermine Malaysia’s social harmony.
The ban, initially imposed in 2019, stemmed from Naik’s controversial remarks about Hindus and Chinese Malaysians during a speech in Kota Baru, Kelantan.
Authorities had cited “overriding interests in national security and the aim of preserving racial harmony” as the basis for the restriction, according to a report by AsiaNews.
Last month, Naik addressed the Perlis International Sunnah Convention 2025, where he reportedly told the audience that Muslims would be held accountable in the afterlife for their lack of proselytizing.
He urged Malaysian Muslims to “step up their efforts to spread Islam among non-Muslims,” adding that Malaysians were not fully utilizing laws permitting the propagation of Islam.
During a parliamentary session last week, Home Affairs Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail confirmed that there were “no orders restricting Zakir from giving public speeches.”
He said, “although a temporary ban was issued against the controversial preacher in 2019, it is not in force at the moment.” Responding to a question from a Penang MP, he reiterated that the government had “not placed any restrictions on Zakir Naik (from giving public speeches).”
The decision drew immediate backlash, with Sarawak MP Baru Bian urging the federal government to reconsider. “I was extremely disappointed to read the statement from the Home Affairs Minister,” Baru said.
“It is incomprehensible to right-thinking Malaysians that the ban was lifted without any justification and without the release of investigation reports into the incidents reported against Zakir,” he added.
Baru emphasized that the original ban was imposed due to “grave concerns” over national security and racial harmony, concerns that “have not disappeared.”
He added, “I understand that since August 2019 Sarawak has banned Zakir Naik from entering the state. This ban was implemented during the term of the late Chief Minister Pehin Sri Adenan Satem.”
The Christian MP further urged the Sarawak government to maintain the ban until Naik “apologizes and commits to respecting the principles of harmony and freedom of worship.”
He stressed that national security and coexistence “must never be compromised for political convenience.”
Baru also highlighted Naik’s history of making offensive remarks about religious minorities. “He has never apologized for his offensive statements,” he said.
“I find it difficult to accept that he should be allowed to speak in public again.” He warned that lifting the ban implies the government no longer considers Naik’s rhetoric a threat, portraying him as a “non-controversial” leader.
“By denigrating other religions,” Baru continued, “he not only fails to adhere to the values of mutual respect and tolerance, which are an integral part of Malaysia’s diverse society, but also risks sowing divisions among the population.”
He argued that such scenarios “underscore the need for laws like the Sedition Act, which serve to safeguard speech that has the potential to instigate disorder.”
Baru stressed that free speech must not come at the expense of national harmony. “We are proud of policies that promote inclusion and unity, where different religious and ethnic communities live together without fear of discrimination or division.”
He said, “The peace and stability of Malaysia’s social fabric must take precedence over every individual’s right to free speech, especially when such speech has the potential to incite hatred, intolerance, or discord.”
Echoing Baru’s sentiments, Global Human Rights Federation vice-president Peter John Jaban urged Sarawak to uphold its ban on Naik.
He said, “We hope that the Sarawak government will continue to protect its interests in maintaining a peaceful environment and upholding the values of inclusiveness, tolerance, and social harmony.”
“He must not be allowed to spread hatred or cause tension between our communities,” Jaban added.
