JOHOR BARU: The federal police, in a joint operation with the state religious department, arrested 17 people believed to be members of the Millah Ibrahim/Abraham heresy group in simultaneous raids in Batu Pahat, Pontian, Muar, and Segamat on Aug 1.
Johor Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid said the arrests were made to combat the spread of the deviant teachings associated with the Millah Ibrahim/Abraham group.
"The teachings were declared heretical in Johor on July 30, 2015, and officially gazetted on April 28, 2016, as deviations from the teachings of Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah.
"As a result of the joint operations, 17 individuals were arrested on suspicion of being followers of these teachings.
"The case has been fixed for mention on Aug 6," he said in a statement today.
Earlier Bukit Aman Special Branch policemen, Johor police and the religious department enforcement officers raided several premises in the four districts, where the deviant teachings were believed to have taken place.
Fared said the simultaneous raids codenamed Ops Milab kicked off after investigations revealed that the deviant teaching activities were carried out.
He added that the Johor government had issued stern warnings against such teachings and would take strict action to eradicate and prevent the spread of heretical teachings based on the existing enactments and laws.
He also advised the public not to be influenced by beliefs and teachings that deviate from the principles of Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah and to immediately report any suspicious activities to the authorities.