Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh (photo, above) said PAS' Pasir Mas MP Ahmad Fadhli Shaari's called for DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang to leave the country instead of controversial preacher Zakir Naik is "laughable".

"There is absolutely no reason for Lim to leave this country. He is a Malaysian citizen who has contributed much in his 50 years of service to this country, unlike Zakir who is not even a citizen and has created enough controversy remaining here despite being wanted in India," he said in a statement today.

Ramkarpal pointed out that Lim was merely agreeing with columnist Anas Zubedy that Zakir should willingly leave Malaysia.

"I, too, have urged Zakir to be extradited to India in the past for legal reasons.

"Are Zubedy and I also on Ahmad Fadhli’s list of those who should leave the country?" he said.

Ramkarpal said instead of diverting attention, Ahmad Fadhli should address the elephant in the room, which is the fact that Zakir is a man wanted by the authorities in India.

"It would be too much to expect Ahmad Fadhli to meaningfully debate whether Zakir should remain in Malaysia or not and as such, it wouldn’t be surprising if his tantrums continue in the future.

"Hopefully, we will hear something sensible from him at some point instead," he said.

Zakir's method of preaching by comparing Islam with other religions has sometimes cause unhappiness among non-Muslim communities.

The preacher is a permanent resident and is in self-imposed exile in Malaysia as he is wanted by Indian authorities on money laundering charges.

Putrajaya had said Zakir would not be extradited due to concerns on whether he would receive a fair trial in India..