“We have to follow the rule of law. As far as the government is concerned, India has stated that it has a case.

“So, I think what needs to be done is once the case is put forward, the decision will be made whether to send him back or not,” he said after launching the Integrated Parcel Centre (IPC) expansion project here today.

Gobind said the Zakir Naik issue was discussed at the weekly Cabinet meeting yesterday.

It was reported that Zakir, who is a permanent resident of Malaysia, is wanted by the Indian government for alleged money-laundering and terrorism.

Zakir has expressed his gratitude to the Malaysian government and Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad for allowing him to stay in the country and for examining his case from an “unbiased perspective”.

He said the decision reaffirmed his faith in Malaysian justice and communal harmony, adding that this was testimony to the success of the multiracial diversity of the country.

Mahathir was reported to have said that Malaysia would not deport Zakir “as long as he does not create any problems” in the country.