IPOH: There are currently fewer than 10 deviant cults operating in Perak and the authorities are keeping a close watch on them, says Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.
The Perak Mentri Besar acknowledged the existence of these groups but opted not to disclose their identities to prevent them from going underground.
This monitoring involved various agencies, including the Perak State Islamic Religious Department (JAIPk) and the National Security Council, he said.
“There are only a few – less than 10 – spread across various locations and districts,” he said after opening the 61st Federal Islamic Call Perak chapter’s annual general meeting here yesterday.
When asked further, Saarani refused to name the groups to prevent them from escaping.
“We do not want them to flee or go into hiding, which is why we are handling these matters discreetly,” he said.
He added that JAIPk was currently examining the teachings of these groups, and if any deviations from the Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah doctrine were found, appropriate reports would be filed and legal action would follow.
It was reported in August that the Perak Mufti Department confirmed the existence of a deviant cult named Millah Abraham in the state.
According to state Deputy Mufti Datuk Zamri Hashim, the group’s activity was conducted on a small scale and the department was doing its part to stop the cult’s teaching from spreading further.
Millah Abraham is also reported to have rooted in several states, including Negri Sembilan and Johor, while Melaka and Kelantan have denied that the cult’s teachings reached their respective states.
Earlier in his opening speech, Saarani said there were concerns about the circulation of deviant Islamic teachings through social media, including threatening messages.
Some of these messages, he said, included “curse” threats, and he was worried that those who were uninitiated would spread them unwillingly.
Saarani urged the public to verify such teachings with JAIPk, local religious officials or muftis.
“Please have faith in the state as we know what to do about it,” he added.
Regarding recent police and JAIPk raids on several Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB) premises in the state, which uncovered materials associated with deviant teachings, Saarani confirmed that the matter was under investigation.
“If there are any offences committed, stern action will be taken according to the law,” he said, adding that most centres operated by the group in the state had now been closed.
A series of raids under Ops Global were conducted nationwide earlier this month amid allegations of child exploitation and deviant religious teachings.
Some 572 victims, including 55 children from GISB-run charity homes in Perak, had been rescued and over 300 arrests were made here.
