Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said the government will not stop controversial preacher Dr Zakir Naik from participating in religious programmes.

"If he wants to pray and attend events, nobody can prevent him from doing so," he told the media in Putrajaya today.

"I was told by the Malacca police chief that Zakir's appearance in Malacca is to join prayers... he will not be addressing the jemaah there. That's the information that I got and that's why he is allowed to join"

Muhyiddin was asked to comment on the preacher's planned appearance at the Masjid Cina in Kurbong, Malacca, for a prayer session.