Questions have been raised as to the legality of the police's "ban" on preacher Zakir Naik from making speaking in public, even through social media.

According to police corporate communications chief Asmawati Ahmad, the order was issued in accordance to Section 3(3) of the Police Act.

The section reads: "The police shall subject to this Act be employed in and throughout Malaysia (including the territorial waters thereof) for the maintenance of law and order, the preservation of the peace and security of Malaysia, the prevention and detection of crime, the apprehension and prosecution of offenders and the collection of security intelligence."