Lawyers have condemned the cancellation of a lecture by Muslim preacher Zakir Naik this weekened, saying it is against freedom of speech.

Zakir, an Indian national, was scheduled to speak on the similarities of Hindusim and Islam at Universiti Teknikal Malaysia (Utem) in Malacca.

This was opposed by MIC, DAP and Indian-based NGOs, which lodged police reports claiming the preacher had slandered other religions in previous talks.

"Making racist remarks, insulting religions and offending others is part of freedom of speach.

"We cannot block something because we don't like what someone is saying.

"If Zakir Naik's programme encourages extremism or terrorism, take action and charge him after the lecture," lawyer Syahredzan Johan said in a Facebook posting.

Similarly, Lawyers for Liberty executive director Eric Paulsen said those who disagree with Zakir's views should counter it with arguments.

"(The lecture) should be allowed. Threshold for freedom of speech must be high. If (you) disagree with (his) views, counter with arguments," Paulsen said on Twitter.

However, Paulsen noted that the dispute raises a question on where society will draw a line on alleged extremist views.

"Should we also allow someone like say, Geert Wilders, to also speak in Malaysia?" he asked.

Wilders is a Dutch politician who released films which are deemed to be anti-Islam.

Syahredzan said many who claim to back freedom of speech are also arguing against allowing Zakir to speak, claiming that the preacher does not represent Islam.

"Imagine if a priest or a monk wanted to hold a talk called 'A comparison of Islam and my religion', without calling a Muslim representative.

"How many will then say 'this is freedom of speech' and how many will say 'this is an affront to Islam'?" he asked.

Disagreeing, former de facto law minister said the police is right to cancel the forum.

“Free speech does not mean we allow hate speech. That’s a no, no,” he said in a Twitter posting.

Zakir had previously been barred from speaking in Singapore, and entering Canada and the United Kingdom.

He spoke in Terengganu last night and was in 2013 awarded the Tokoh Maal Hijrah award which recognises him as a "distinguished international personality".

Police ordered Utem to cancel the Malacca lecture because "it cannot stray away from touching on the weakness of one religion".