KUALA LUMPUR, April 29 ― Terengganu's agriculture and agro-based industry committee chairman Nawi Mohamad has refuted a news report claiming that the issue of awarding islands in Tasik Kenyir to Muslim preacher Dr Zakir Naik was never discussed in the state executive council meeting.

Nawi dismissed as incorrect the report by news portal Free Malaysia Today (FMT) which quoted state education, science, technology and special duties committee chairman Ghazali Taib as saying there was no discussion, and insisted that the matter was indeed discussed several weeks ago.

Nawi was, however, unsure of the exact number of islands to be given to controversial Mumbai-based Muslim televangelist for the purpose of building an Islamic research centre.

“Yes...yes, it was discussed but I am not sure how many islands were involved or what were the details of it but it was discussed,” he told Malay Mail Online when contacted.

Nawi was also unsure when asked if the matter was subsequently brought to the Terengganu palace for the Sultan’s consent.

“The Terengganu government, in fact, welcomes private companies to develop islands in Tasik Kenyir for the betterment of the people and state,” the Umno man added.

According to the FMT report, Ghazali also said that the use of government reserve land in the state was only allowed upon the approval of the Sultan.

He reportedly said that land in the state, except if privately owned, belonged to the government and the Sultan.