KUALA LUMPUR: It has been 56 years since Al-Arqam first emerged, and three decades since they were declared illegal, yet news about the banned movement continue to resurface.
The New Straits Times recently delved into its archives for news on this deviant group, founded by Ashaari Muhammad, known among his followers as Abuya.
Past reports were similar to what we are hearing today: deviant teachings, child exploitation, misappropriation of funds.
Similar to current police estimates, Al-Arqam's membership in the 1990s also peaked at around 10,000.
These were no ordinary people; in fact, they included students who studied abroad, teachers, and even security officers.
Based on their history, Al-Arqam started with just 10 members, initially focusing on food production and publications.
But everything changed in 1979 when Ashaari pledged his allegiance to Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah As Suhaimi and embraced the Aurad Muhammadiah teachings.
Al-Arqam believed that Sheikh Muhammad would be reincarnated as the Imam Mahdi.
By 1993, Ashaari's ambitions had grown.
He reportedly sought to overthrow the government of the day and establish his own.
He even set up a shadow cabinet with state-level caliphs and national ministers.
By 1994, Al-Arqam was considered as dangerous as the communists.
There were even reports suggesting that it had established a 313-member armed unit known as the Badar Army to protect and fight for Ashaari's cause.
The unit was allegedly trained in various locations, including Thailand, for combat.
By then, Ashaari had openly expressed his ambition to become prime minister.
A bombshell revelation came from Ashaari's former follower, ex-Navy officer Abdul Aziz Wahab, who disclosed that he had been ordered to stage a coup d'état in 1986.
After standing by their side for eight years, this instruction proved too much to take and prompted him to leave the group.
Al-Arqam was declared illegal in August 1994, leading to Ashaari admitting his deviance and renouncing his beliefs in a recorded broadcast on RTM.
Yet, 56 years later, there are still factions of former Al-Arqam followers who remain believers.