Controversial preacher Dr Zakir Naik has made some pointed remarks about Chinese Malaysians, while rebuffing calls for him to leave the country.

The remarks were made at a talk in Kelantan last Thursday where he also commented that Hindu Malaysians seemed to trust the Indian government more than Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Zakir made his remarks about Chinese Malaysians while talking about how Islam had spread peacefully in the region through traders.

"[...] Malaysia became fully Muslim. Then you have the Chinese coming, the Indians coming, the British coming. They are our new guests.

"You know someone called me a guest. So I said, before me, the Chinese were the guests. If you want the new guest to go first, ask the old guest to go back.

"The Chinese aren't born here, most of them. Maybe the new generations, yes.

"If you want the guest to go back, and those guests which (sic) are bringing peace in the community, they are benefit (sic) for the family," he said before trailing off and getting back on the topic which was about denying that Islam was "spread by the sword".

This remark was made at a dialogue hosted by the Kelantan state government and officiated by Deputy Menteri Besar Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah on Aug 8 at the Main Banquet Hall of the Kelantan state government headquarters in Kota Bharu.

Zakir, a Malaysian permanent resident, is in self-imposed exile in the country as he is wanted in his native India on money-laundering charges.

Putrajaya has refused to deport the preacher despite requests from India, saying he may not receive a fair trial there.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has said that Malaysia would welcome if other countries would like to accept Zakir.

It was reported in May 2017 that Saudi Arabia had granted citizenship to Zakir.

DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang has supported a call for the preacher to leave Malaysia voluntarily.