Islamic preacher Zakir Naik has been holding permanent resident status in Malaysia since about five years ago.

This was revealed by Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi when met by reporters in Putrajaya today.

"I would like to confirm that he holds a permanent resident status in Malaysia. But he is not a Malaysian citizen.

"I think he has been holding the status since about five years ago. That was before I became home minister," Zahid said...