KUALA LUMPUR: Religious authorities detected a total of 33 cases involving deviant teachings and worship, as well as spreading false doctrines and information last year, the Dewan Rakyat was told.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Ahmad Marzuk Shaary said the Islamic Development Department of Malaysia (Jakim) and state religious departments would continue to work together to protect the image of Islam.
He added both parties would continue enforcement of syariah criminal offences, including deviant teachings, gambling and drink driving-related offences.
“Throughout 2020, a total of 33 cases involving deviant teachings, deviant worship, false doctrines and false information was detected,” he said in reply to a question from Datuk Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid (PH-Kapar) during Question Time.
He had asked the government to share its commitment to ensure the image and sanctity of Islam was protected from any negative influences including deviant teachings, gambling and intoxication as well as others.
Among the common traits found by religious authorities when exposing deviant teachings include, those that adhered to other beliefs aside from the teachings of the Sunni school of thought”, mixing other spiritual and superstitious beliefs including based on dreams or specific leaders, deviating from the teachings of the Al-Quran and the hadiths as well as extremism in believing in certain spiritual leaders.
Others include believing in religious pluralism and rejecting religious discipline from authorised religious bodies.
According to Ahmad Marzuk, religious authorities also found a total of 334 cases involving gambling as well as 86 cases involving consumption of intoxicating drinks during the same period.
“Aside from enforcement, cooperation between Jakim and state religious departments will be strengthened to ensure that the sanctity of Islam remains protected by conducting various programmes.
“For instance, the programmes involved improving the understanding of Islam and to reduce syariah-related offences through webinars, forums and syariah offence awareness campaigns,” added the deputy minister.
