Health Minister Dr S Subramaniam described controversial preacher Zakir Naik as an “avoidable distraction” for Malaysia, warning that he could undermine the country’s unity.

“Malaysia’s Islamic foundation or its multi-religious national texture is certainly not going to be nourished by Zakir Naik’s preaching.

“On the contrary, it would only be inciting divisive forces to distort the unifying tenets of Islam as (is) currently practised in the country,” he said in a statement today.