Islands given to Dr Zakir Naik without state Exco’s nod
Faiz Zainudin
| April 28, 2016
Terengganu Exco says any use of government reserve land in the state must have the approval of the Sultan.
KUALA TERENGGANU: Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman’s decision to offer three islands in Tasik Kenyir to controversial preacher Dr Zakir Naik was never discussed in the state executive council. State Education, Science, Technology and Special Duties Committee Chairman Ghazali Taib told FMT that the decision was Ahmad Razif’s own and the latter could have his own reasons for doing so. “You have to ask him (Ahmad Razif) why he did it. The matter was never discussed in the state executive council,” he said. According to Ghazali, the use of government reserve land in the state must have the approval of the Sultan. “All land in the state, except those privately owned, belongs to the government and the Sultan. “In fact, Ahmad Razif’s decision (to offer land to Zakir) also need the approval from the ruler. “If the Sultan says it’s a no go, everyone must abide by the ruling.” The China Press had reported that the Terengganu Mufti’s Department as well as the Malaysian Islamic Development Department were not in favour of Zakir giving the speech in the state. The daily also reported that Ahmad Razif’s gift of the three islands to Zakir could be the reason behind the revocation of his titles by the Sultan of Terengganu, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin. The islands were to enable Zakir to build an Islamic research centre.
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