Police bar Zakir Naik talk on April 17

PETALING JAYA: Police have barred controversial orator Dr Zakir Naik (pic) from giving a talk organised by Universiti Teknikal Malaysia in Malacca.

Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said police would not allow the talk based on public order and sensitivities of the multi-religious society.

"@PDRMsia has decided not to let this forum to proceed for public order and religious sensitivities in Malaysia," he tweeted on Monday.

The talk, Similarities Between Hinduism and Islam, was scheduled to be held on April 17 at the university.

Dr Zakir's presence in Malaysia has ruffled feathers, with MIC Youth which reportedly lodging multiple police reports against him.

Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) had also asked the Government to ban the preacher from entering the country.

Dr Zakir, the Islamic Research Foundation president, started a series of lectures in Terengganu last week, on the invitation of the state government.

He was scheduled to talk at the hockey stadium in Bukit Jalil on Apr 16, in a forum titled "Is the Quran God's Word."

Dr Zakir last visited Malaysia in 2012. His presence then also received similar protest by the Hindu community.

Dr Zakir, a recipient of Tokoh Maal Hijrah award in 2013, had reportedly angered the Hindu community by insulting their deities along with the vegetarian practices of the faith.

He has also been denied entry into Canada and the United Kingdom in 2012 after reportedly expressing support to terrorist group Al-Qaeda.