Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is on a visit to India, has talked about many issues including Kashmir, Pakistan, radical Islamic preacher Zakir Naik in a special conversation with Aaj Tak. Regarding Kashmir, he said that it is India’s internal matter and we want peace and security in the region.
What did Naik say on Kashmir?
When India removed Article 370 from Kashmir on 5 August 2019, the then Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad had strongly criticized India.
In September 2019, Mohammad had said in the United Nations that India has occupied Kashmir. India had strongly objected to Mohammad’s statement. He had also criticized India on NRC and CAA, after which there was tension in the relations between the two countries.
However, relations between the two countries have softened after Anwar became the Prime Minister in 2022. Anwar’s stance on Kashmir is completely different from that of Mahathir Mohammad.
Talking to Aaj Tak, Anwar Ibrahim said on the Kashmir issue, ‘This is completely India’s internal matter. We have not taken any open stand on Kashmir. We want peace and security and there is a need to reduce tension.’
Anwar Ibrahim also spoke on the issue of minorities in India. He said, ‘Just as India has the right to question Malaysia on the issue of minorities, we too have concerns about religious and minorities in India.’
What did the Malaysian PM say about Zakir Naik?
Radical Islamic preacher Zakir Naik fled from India in 2016 and was granted asylum by Malaysia in 2018. Naik is accused of giving inflammatory speeches, money laundering and promoting terrorism in India.
On the question of Naik’s extradition to India, the Malaysian PM said that Zakir has never said anything against India.
He said, ‘The law does its job. He has never said anything against India in Malaysia. Unless Zakir Naik creates any problem or proves to be a security threat, we will keep this matter quiet. But if India presents evidence to extradite him, we will welcome it.’
Malaysian PM Ibrahim said that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has also raised this issue. PM Ibrahim said that any kind of violation will not be tolerated and Malaysia respects the rule of law.
meeting with Rahul Gandhi
Anwar Ibrahim also met Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi during his visit to India. Regarding the meeting, he said, ‘He is our family friend. We had a good conversation with him. I told him that since India is an important ally, we need to talk to all parties.’
Anwar Ibrahim said that he invited PM Modi for the ASEAN summit to be held in Kuala Lumpur (capital of Malaysia) next year, which he has accepted.
West lashed out at Israel-Hamas fight
The Malaysian PM expressed concern over the situation in Gaza, referring to the Israel-Hamas war. Gaza is being continuously bombed after Hamas’ attack on Israel on 7 October 2023.
Israel has been bombing and conducting ground operations on Hamas-controlled Gaza for the past several months, killing more than 40,000 people. On the situation in Gaza, Anwar Ibrahim said, ‘My heart aches to see the situation in Gaza. Hamas are people fighting for freedom, not terrorists. Western countries are adopting a double standard towards them.’