Controversial televangelist Dr Zakir Naik (centred) is pictured at the ‘IJTEMA of 150 Malaysian Muslim Scholars with Dr Zakir Naik’ event in Kuala Lumpur, April 16, 2017. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa

KUALA LUMPUR, May 31 ― Controversial India-born Muslim evangelist Dr Zakir Naik is now reportedly seeking Malaysian citizenship after being granted permanent residency here.

Citing unnamed sources from India’s National Investigation Agency, The Times of India also reported that a decision has yet to be made about his Malaysian citizenship application.

The report said Dr Zakir has moving around between the UAE, Saudi Arabia, African and Southeast Asian countries after the Indian authorities initiated efforts to compel Interpol for issuance of a Red Corner Notice (RCN) against him.

A RCN declares a person as an international fugitive and can be provisionally arrested by the authorities of its member nations worldwide and then extradited.

Malaysia’s Home Ministry had earlier this year disclosed that Dr Zakir has been a permanent resident here for the past five years.

He was conferred honorary membership in Malay rights organisation Perkasa on April 16.

He is also a central figure in a March 1 civil lawsuit filed by 19 Malaysian human rights activists against the federal government, which it accused of failing to protect the country from Dr Zakir whom they claim to be a security threat.

More recently, Dr Zakir was reported on May 19 by a press monitoring organisation in the Middle East to have been granted citizenship in Saudi Arabia though the information has yet to be verified by any authority.

The 51-year-old medical doctor by training has been visiting Malaysia and Saudi Arabia frequently after leaving India where he is wanted for money laundering and terrorism investigations.

He reportedly left India on July 1, 2016 after militants in Bangladesh claimed they were inspired by his speeches.

Sources in the news report said the Indian government was making use of all diplomatic ways to prevent Dr Zakir from securing citizenships in any country.

Like Malaysia, India does not recognise dual citizenships.