Cult-like movement Wali Tujuh under close watch in Sabah

KOTA KINABALU: Islamic religious authorities are working with the police to find out the extent of a cult-like movement Wali Tujuh which was discovered to have started from Kinabatangan area.

Special Tasks Minister Datuk Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif said cult-like movement, if not nipped in its bud, could spread and potentially pose security threats in Sabah.

“We are getting more information about this Wali Tujuh from the Sabah Islamic Religious Affairs Department,” he said when asked to comment on the arrest of three people believed to be the masterminds behind the group recently.

Mohd Arifin added that such groups, which use religion as part of their teachings, deviated from the true religious understanding.

“It could resort to members acting in an extreme manner. Any activity that deviated from Islamic teachings is against the Sabah Islamic Religious Council Enactment.

“Religious authorities in the districts have been instructed to probe this matter,” he said.

Mohd Arifin urged the community to refer to their respective religious authorities if they were unsure about any new teachings such as the Wali Tujuh.