Kuala Lumpur: The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) Tribunal said televangelist Dr Zakir Naik is bound to file it in proper format with proper authentication or he may remain physically present on the next hearing.

The UAPA sought his physical presence on the next hearing after Dr Zakir Naik showed the inability to go to the Indian Embassy in Malaysia for authentication of his credentials for Vakalatnama. 

In December 2021, the Tribunal under the UAPA had sought the stand of Zakir Naik's Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) in proceedings to consider the Centre's decision to declare it as an unlawful association.

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs extended the ban on controversial Islamic televangelist Zakir Naik’s non-governmental organisation called Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) by five years.

The ban on Zakir Naik’s NGO was first imposed by the government in November 2016 under the UAPA. The preacher’s organisation was banned due to his 'objectionable and subversive' speeches which allegedly promoted enmity.

Naik, medical doctor-turned-televangelist,  is facing charges of inciting communal disharmony and committing unlawful activities in India. He is also facing a probe both in India and Bangladesh in connection with the terror attack at the Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka on July 2016.

India is pursuing his extradition from Malaysia. On 18 July 2017, India revoked Naik's passport following a recommendation from the National Investigation Agency (NIA).