KUALA LUMPUR: Opposition MP Ramkarpal Singh has questioned the home ministry on measures taken after reports that a terror attack was being planned in India by a group based in Malaysia.
The report linked controversial preacher Zakir Naik and Rohingya refugees here to the alleged terror attack.
“I ask for an explanation on this matter and on the role of Zakir Naik in this incident. Is the Perikatan Nasional government looking at this issue seriously?,” he asked during the debate on the home ministry’s 2021 budget at the Dewan Rakyat today.
The Bukit Gelugor MP also expressed shock after Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador said he was not aware of the incident.
“It (the planning) must have been happening for a while,” Ramkarpal said.
The Times of India reported yesterday that Indian intelligence agencies are believed to have intercepted financial transactions suggesting that a Malaysia-based Rohingya outfit may be in an advanced stage of orchestrating a terror strike in that country. The group is said to be led by a woman.
The newspaper report said Indian authorities were also checking whether these transactions had links to Naik, who has permanent residence status in Malaysia.
Ramkarpal asked the ministry if it had identified the Rohingya outfit named in the report and if Naik would be extradited to India.
Naik is wanted in India to face money laundering charges. India’s Enforcement Directorate had accused him of acquiring about 1.9 billion rupees (RM114.5 million) worth of criminal assets. He is also wanted for inciting extremism through hate speeches.
The Pakatan Harapan MP also raised concerns over immigration officers arrested for running syndicate rackets, adding that some of them owned luxury cars such as Rolls-Royce.
He said syndicates could also be helping individuals leave the country without a trace, and wanted answers on measures taken to stop these syndicates.
“What are the steps taken to stop such rogues from leaving the country? We do not want a strike to occur,” he said.
Earlier, Saifuddin Nasution (PH-Kulim Bandar Bharu) asked why the Narcotics Department could only employ 5,000 officers, and if this lack of manpower was why the drug problem was continuing in the country.
“The threat from drugs is worsening. Is this due to the size of the Narcotics Department?” he asked.
Saifuddin said the criminal investigation department had 13,000 officers, commercial crime had 3,000 while the Special Branch had 9,000 officers.