New: Anwar Confirms Closed-Door Talks with India on Zakir Naik Extradition

NEW DELHI, Sept 15, 2026, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim confirmed that discussions on the extradition of controversial preacher Zakir Naik were held during his recent meeting with Indian officials, describing the talks as “closed-door” to safeguard bilateral interests.

Speaking to New Delhi Television (NDTV), Anwar said the matter was placed on the priority list to build trust between Malaysia and India. “Any action must be taken with utmost caution, respecting the rule of law and the importance of bilateral relations,” he said.

Closed-Door Talks

The issue resurfaced during Anwar’s bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BRICS Leaders’ Summit. India has sought Naik’s extradition since 2019 over allegations of money laundering amounting to 1.93 billion rupees (RM115.66 million) and hate speech.

Malaysia previously declined India’s request, citing Naik’s permanent resident status. Naik has said he would return if India’s Supreme Court guaranteed he would not be detained until conviction.

In Malaysia, Naik faced police investigations after remarks about the Indian and Chinese communities triggered over 100 reports. He was barred from public speaking in 2019, though the restriction was later clarified as time-bound.

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