The police have instructed organisers of a forum in Malacca featuring controversial Muslim preacher Zakir Naik to cancel the event on grounds of potential public unrest and to protect religious sensitivities in the country.

Inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar said today organisers of the event, originally scheduled to be held at Universiti Teknikal Malaysia campus in Malacca on April 17, have been summoned to Bukit Aman.

"We have summoned the organisers and instructed them to cancel forums such as these," Khalid said.