PETALING JAYA: Veteran politician Tan Sri Rais Yatim has called for controversial preacher Zakir Naik to be sent back to India.

"Before Zakir Naik lived here, we lived in harmony. Now even the Hindus are being disturbed by his comments that belittle them. Zakir is playing the role of an instigator. It is best if he is sent back to India, " the former minister said on his Twitter account on Wednesday (Aug 14).

Rais, who is also a Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia member, said the country's bilateral relationship with India had also soured because of Zakir, adding that there is more important work to be done.

Zakir had previously said Hindus in Malaysia were more loyal to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi than to Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Zakir's remarks have since been criticised by various quarters.

Rais then said in a separate tweet that the Chinese educationist group Dong Zong and its allies were vocal was because the need to remain courteous was gone.

Rais said this in response to the khat controversy, where Dong Zong had opposed the teaching of khat in vernacular schools.

"The Malays, meanwhile, are at a juncture where they are politically divided. (DAP adviser) Lim Kit Siang and its friends must have brainwashed them, " he said.