Not keen to keep Dr Zakir Naik, says PM Mahathir as Malaysian Hindus demand his deportation

News Network

August 14, 2019

Kuala Lumpur, Aug 14: In the wake of pressure from minority Hindu community of Malaysia, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad today said that his government is not keen for Indian Islamic preacher Dr Zakir Naik to be in the country, but added it is hard-pressed to deport him elsewhere as “many countries” will not accept him.

"So he's here today, but if any country wants to have him, they are welcome," Mahathir said, as demand by the Hindus of Malaysia for Dr Naik's deportation from country increased.

Dr Naik in a recent talk had reported taunted Hindus in Malaysia for being more loyal to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi than their own premier.

Asked about this, Mahathir said: "You can ask them (Hindus) la, why do you ask me? How would I know?"

Human Resource Minister M Kula Segaran, who is a senior Hindu politician, has called for action against Dr Naik while the National Patriots Association (Patriot) on Wednesday took the preacher to task for allegedly questioning the loyalty of Malaysian Hindus to the country and saying China mistreated Uyghur Muslims.

“Questioning the loyalty of the Malaysian Hindus shows Zakir is ignorant, dishonest and has an ulterior motive and a hidden agenda," Patriot president Datuk Mohamed Arshad Raji said in a statement.

He also said that any sensitive issue on the Uyghur Muslims is best left to the Foreign Ministry.

"It is not for Dr Naik to instigate the uninformed public, and arouse hatred and animosity towards China, especially at a time when Malaysia's relations with China are improving. Furthermore, trade and infrastructure investment are also at stake. “Patriot would like to see Zakir Naik shut up now,” he said.

Government of India has made a formal request for the extradition of Dr Naik. In June this year, the External Affairs Ministry said it would "continue to pursue the matter with Malaysia."

Also Read: Malaysian Hindu Minister demands action against Dr Zakir Naik for saying ‘Malaysian Hindus enjoy 100% rights unlike Indian Muslims’

Comments

ALLAH says in quran that the day will come where the muslims are in great number but no one will help each other and now we can see the zakir naik case...

what a shame for muslim country malaysian maharhir....if you not wake up i will distroy you with hypocrics(Hindus) and bring power to new generation(Europe is falling under islam).....

it clear from quran that Almighty Allah destroy certain group who are with disbeliver....and bring new generatio of people with iman and peace.

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No cases yet, but vigilance high: Karnataka braces for Nipah threat

News Network

February 3,2026

Bengaluru: Following reports of fresh Nipah virus (NiV) cases in West Bengal and heightened vigilance across parts of Southeast Asia, the Karnataka Health Department has placed the state on high alert and activated emergency preparedness protocols.

Health officials said enhanced surveillance measures have been initiated after two healthcare workers in Barasat, West Bengal, tested positive for the virus earlier this month. While no cases have been reported in Karnataka so far, authorities said the state’s past exposure to Nipah outbreaks and high inter-state mobility warranted preventive action.

Officials have directed district health teams to intensify monitoring, particularly at hospitals and points of entry, and to ensure early detection and isolation of suspected cases.

High Mortality Virus with Multiple Transmission Routes

Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease that can spread from animals to humans and has a reported fatality rate ranging between 60 and 75 per cent. Fruit bats, also known as flying foxes, are the natural reservoirs of the virus and can transmit it by contaminating food sources with saliva or urine.

Known modes of transmission include:

•   Contaminated food: Consumption of fruits partially eaten by bats or raw date-palm sap
•   Animal contact: Exposure to infected pigs or other animals
•   Human-to-human transmission: Close contact with body fluids of infected persons, particularly in healthcare settings

Symptoms and Disease Progression

The incubation period typically ranges from 4 to 14 days, though delayed onset has also been reported. Early symptoms often resemble common viral infections, making prompt clinical suspicion critical.

•   Initial symptoms: Fever, headache, body aches, fatigue, sore throat
•   Progressive symptoms: Drowsiness, disorientation, altered mental state
•   Severe stage: Seizures, neck stiffness and acute encephalitis, which can rapidly progress to coma

Public Health Advisory

The Health Department has issued precautionary guidelines urging the public to adopt risk-avoidance practices to prevent any local spillover.

Do’s
•   Wash fruits thoroughly before consumption
•   Drink boiled and cooled water
•   Use protective equipment while handling livestock
•   Maintain strict hand hygiene

Don’ts
•   Avoid fruits found on the ground or showing bite marks
•   Do not consume beverages made from raw tree sap, including toddy
•   Avoid areas with dense bat populations
•   Do not handle sick or dead animals

Preparedness Measures

Officials confirmed that isolation wards are being readied in major government hospitals and that medical staff are being sensitised to identify early warning signs.

“There is no cause for panic, but there is a need for heightened vigilance,” a senior health official said, adding that there is currently no approved vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for Nipah, and care remains largely supportive.

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