Kuala Lampur, June 14 -- Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's claim that Malaysia has the right to refuse controversial televangelist Dr Zakir Naik's extradition back to India is unjustified, lawyers and experts have said.

They also chided the prime minister for attempting to conflate Dr Zakir's status to that of Sirul Azhar Umar's, the former police commando sentenced to death here for murdering Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu, currently seeking refuge in Australia.

"As a matter of law, Zakir Naik ought to be extradited if there is a request made by India, save and unless the operative provisions of Section 8 of the Extradition Act 1992 comes into play," lawyer Nizam Bashir told Malay Mail.

Malaysia and India signed an extradition treaty in 2010....