IT may come as a shock to many of us, but it was recently revealed in Parliament that there are at least 99 groups that have been confirmed deviant in this country. Among them are Aliran Pemikiran Liberal, Pertubuhan Kerabat Raja Sakti and Millah Ibrahim (also known as Millah Abraham). In 2009, according to a list by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim), there were only 56 deviant groups in the country. In less than 10 years, the number had almost doubled.
Police are especially concerned with the activities of Millah Ibrahim, as it may have “the potential of developing into Daesh militancy”. Bukit Aman Social Extremist Threats Division chief assistant director Deputy Commissioner Awaludin Jadid confirmed that police had been monitoring its activities for some time. The group, founded in Sumatra, first appeared in 2004 with just 300 followers, but over the years, the numbers increased. Investigations revealed that the group was based in Cheras and Klang, Selangor, and it had been espousing the “jihad war” to establish a “daulah Islamiyah” (Islamic state) in the region. New members were being recruited through social gatherings, as well as business discussions, said Awaludin.
Another worrying trend is that deviant religious teachings have gone online. Jakim director-general Datuk Othman Mustapha said the department was monitoring the new development with the help of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). He hopes the relevant state religious authorities will be equally vigilant.
According to a Bernama report last November, the Federal Territory Religious Department was looking for 12 followers of Millah Ibrahim who had failed to attend court proceedings at the Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory Syariah Court. They had been arrested earlier, but were freed on bail pending their case being heard in court on two dates in November. They were investigated under Section 4 of the Syariah Criminal Offences Act (Federal Territories) Act 1997 (Act 559) for false doctrine offences and Section 5 of Act 559 for spreading religious doctrine.
Last month, Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said police had placed many deviant religious groups with militant elements on their radar for some time. Investigations revealed that eight groups had militant elements. Action has been taken against six groups, but the other two are being monitored. Zahid said police were working closely with the federal and state Islamic religious authorities, local councils, MCMC and the Registry of Societies to keep a close watch on such groups. Investigations confirmed that the groups had been preaching jihad (crusade) and syahid (martyrdom) to followers, influencing them to attack and destroy the places of worship of other religions, claiming that they were Allah’s army and even legitimising the murder of fellow Muslims.
Zahid said it was the role of state religious authorities and Jakim to determine whether a religious teaching was deviant, while the role of police was to assess the level of threat posed to national security and public order. If there is sufficient evidence of their involvement in militant activities, action will be taken under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma), Prevention of Terrorism Act 2015 (POTA) and Penal Code.
In a related development, Sabah police Deputy Commissioner Datuk Awang Sahari E.M. Hadzeer confirmed that 50 followers of Millah Ibrahim had been detected in Tawau. State Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Tawfiq Abu Bakar Titingan said Tawau was exposed to deviant teachings because of its proximity to the border. He hopes Jakim and state religious authorities will increase their efforts in Sabah so that the youth will not be influenced.
Last December, Deputy Home Minister Masir Kujat said police were monitoring the activities of 56 deviant groups that could pose a threat to public order and security. He said action would be taken if there was evidence of their involvement in militant and terror activities.
The above shows that not only has the number of deviant groups increased, but the complexity and threat to security and public order is more profound. Put simply, in the past, deviant teachings focused mostly on issues of faith (iman) of the individual Muslim. A deviant guru would teach his disciples, for example, that “you need not perform solat five times a day, or fast, or go on a pilgrimage to Mecca. Having the intention (niat) to do so is sufficient”. Another deviant guru would say: “I am the new Prophet. I speak to God directly. Follow me and you will go to heaven with me.”
Now, the gurus teach their disciples: “You must topple the government so that you can establish ‘daulah Islamiyah’. You can use whatever force necessary. If you die in your quest, you die a martyr and you will go to heaven.”
Salleh Buang formerly served in the
Attorney-General’s Chambers before he left for private practice, the corporate sector and then academia