Indira Claims Zakir Naik Supporters Helping Ex Husband Hide Daughter

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M Indira Gandhi's (photo) struggle to be reunited with her estranged daughter Prasana Diksa continues with a rights group today claiming to receive information that her ex-husband was receiving assistance from three groups that included supporters of controversial preacher Zakir Naik
Indira Gandhi Action Team (Ingat) spokesperson Arun Doraisamy said she had lodged a report at Petaling Jaya police station this morning with the hope that an investigation will be carried out to verify the information that they received through public tip-offs
"The police report lodged today was based on the latest information we received last week," Arun told a press conference with Indira at Wisma Hindu Sangam in Petaling Jaya
Aside from Zakir's supporters, Indira in her report also alleged involvement by PAS-friendly NGOs and southern Thailand separatists in helping to shelter her ex-husband Muhammad Riduan Abdullah, who is wanted by the police
"From 2009 until now we know there were PAS-friendly groups. Before I say this today, I thought about it a few times but I have to say it out loud."And now the new information we received, there are groups of Zakir Naik's followers. This too I thought a few times on how to say it," said Arun
He claimed the help given to Riduan, who is said to be jobless, included monetary assistance as well as logistics aid
As for the southern Thailand separatist groups, Arun claimed Ingat was informed that they had assisted Muhammad Ridhuan in leaving Kelantan and past the border, despite not having a valid passport
"People have sighted him. But it’s a small village so people are reluctant to give (confirm) their identity," said Arun, adding that Ingat and Indira had presented all information they received to former inspector-general of police Mohamad Fuzi Harun during a meeting at Bukit Aman on April 19
"We had a sighting. If previously we were worried whether the child (Prasana) was still alive or not, now we are pretty much confident that she is," he added
Despite police's failure to locate Riduan and enforce a court order for him to return Prasana to Indira, Arun claimed the groups are supporting Reduan’s movement from Kelantan to Golok, together with a new wife and their children
Indira in her police report also urged authorities to investigate the 27-year-old woman for allegedly abetting Riduan, who had abducted Prasana a decade ago as an 11-month-old child and has not been seen since
Both Arun and Indira today insisted that the case had gone beyond the issue of forced conversion
"If she wants to continue her life as a Muslim, that is her choice
"It does not matter whether she is Muslim or not, she (Prasana) is still her (Indira)'s daughter," said an emotional Arun
Indira also teared up as she insisted that her only wish is to be reunited with Prasana
Riduan took Prasana away and unilaterally converted his three children to Islam in 2009
A lengthy legal battle between Riduan and Indira then ensued, involving both the syariah and civil courts
Indira’s two eldest children now live with her, but Prasana and her father’s whereabouts remain unknown
In February, Fuzi said information had not been forthcoming from the public, despite various appeals for help made by the police
In 2014, the High Court issued an arrest warrant for Riduan but the police have yet to locate him
Last year, the Federal Court unanimously declared the children’s unilateral conversion to Islam to be unlawful. - Mkini

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