PETALING JAYA: Klang MP Charles Santiago denies defaming controversial preacher Zakir Naik and welcomes police investigations into the preacher's allegations.
"Zakir Naik has every right to lodge the police report.
"Let the police investigate, and I will fully co-operate with the investigations, " Santiago said when contacted on Friday (Aug 16).
The DAP lawmaker, who heads the National Water Services Commission, added that he had proof to show that he did not misquote Zakir as alleged.
"I am a Malaysian citizen and an elected representative.
"I acted in the interest of the nation, its people, our racial unity and national security, " Santiago said.
Zakir's lawyers confirmed that a police report was lodged at the Shah Alam police on Friday morning against five individuals for allegedly defaming him through their statements and articles with regard to a recent speech he had made in Kelantan last week.
The report was made against Human Resources Minister M. Kulasegaran, Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasamy, Bagan Dalam assemblyman Satees Muniandy, former ambassador Dennis J. Ignatius and Santiago.
Zakir claimed that the five had quoted him out of context with regard to his response to questions posed during his speech on the topic "Misconceptions about Islam".
He claimed they had twisted and manipulated his response to "feed their mischievous own political agenda".
Apart from lodging the report, Zakir's lawyers also sent a letter of demand to Kulasegaran on Friday, demanding an apology.
Similar letters of demand will be sent to the four others named in the police reports next week.
