The federal government should not entertain proposals for popular preacher Zakir Naik to be deported to India, says Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin.

He said the urgings, which also described Zakir as a terrorist, were not justified and in fact, had deliberately created confusion and tarnished the image of the famous preacher.

"Based on the talks and knowledge shared by Zakir, there is no evidence to suggest that he incites people to violence.

"Those who make the allegations should provide evidence that he incited violence. Every speech and talk given by Zakir was recorded... so please enlighten us the particular sentences that incited violence," Mohd Asri told reporters at his office in Kangar today.

He also expressed his disappointment over the situation and proposed for a dialogue to be held between Zakir and those who made the allegations.

Yesterday, Health Minister Dr S Subramaniam, who is also MIC president, was reported to have said that Malaysia could not permit controversial Indian preacher Zakir to use the country as a haven from a terrorism investigation simply because of his religious credentials.

As an agent provocateur, Subramaniam said, Zakir would become a divisive presence in multicultural and multi-religious Malaysia.

- Bernama