Cops collaborate with Jakim to curb Syiah beliefs

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) will collaborate with the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) and state religious authorities to curb the spread of Syiah beliefs in the country.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Datuk Seri Abdul Hamid Bador said the force has information on the matter, and is confident that it could be dealt with wisely.

“This is an irresponsible act,” he said when asked to comment on the distribution of leaflets on Syiah teachings by ‘Who Is Hussain', a non-governmental organisation (NGO) around the city.

Abdul Hamid was speaking to reporters after the official handing over of duties to the new deputy IGP Datuk Mazlan Mansor at Senior Officers Mess in Bukit Aman here on Wednesday (May 15).

At the event, Mazlan's wife, Datin Farihan Mohd Zamri, was also appointed as the vice-president of the Police Family Association (Perkep).

Asked if PDRM received any reports on the NGO's activities, Abdul Hamid said the police will review the matter, and also request the public to channel relevant information on the activities.

Recently, several photographs went viral in the social media, indicating a group of individuals distributing 'Who Is Hussain' brochures openly to the public, and asking them to visit a website of Syiah teachings doctrine.

On the request by Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) for additional security measures for Minister in Prime Minister's Department P. Waytha Moorthy,  Abdul Hamid called on the public to practice moderation when fighting their rights which involves race and religion in order to avoid extreme radical response.

“Police are firm in taking action against all forms of violence irrespective of race, religion and political background in the country,” he added.

Hindraf  yesterday appreciated the PDRM's recent success in foiling terror attacks and assassinations, it also wants the IGP to consider additional security measures for Waytha Moorthy.

Its legal advisor Karthig Shan was reported as saying that what is disturbing is that the terrorists nabbed earlier this month had the intention to assassinate several high profile personalities due to purported accusations that they failed to uphold Islam and insulted the religion.

He said Hindraf supporters were very apprehensive, as before this there was an attack on Waytha Moorthy at his office on Aug 16, 2017, and also targeted during the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) rally and made a scapegoat during the Seafield temple riot issue and the subsequent death of fireman Muhammad Adib Kassim. - Bernama