COMMENT | Sarawak Minister for Local Government and Housing Dr Sim Kui Hian is among friends and associates whom I regularly share my thoughts and views on current issues with.

I did so with my March 19 article ‘Zakir Naik not welcome to preach in Sarawak’, in which I concluded: “I urge my chief minister, Abang Johari Openg, to place Zakir Naik on the persona non grata list immediately. Keep this man and his deadly poison out of Sarawak.”

I forwarded that piece to Sim at 3.35pm and was very surprised to receive his response at 4.44pm – just one hour and nine minutes later.

His message included a screenshot of his WhatsApp conversation with the Sarawak immigration director in which he inquired whether the controversial preacher is on the persona non grata list in Sarawak.

The immigration chief’s reply to the minister was that “Zakir is on the blacklist”. So my poser has been answered.

What is more heartfelt here is that I did not specifically request Sim to check on Zakir’s status. I just shared the article with those on my contact list and they include some Sarawak cabinet members and lawmakers from both sides of the political divide...