PETALING JAYA: The Islamic Development Department of Malaysia (Jakim) and enforcement agencies must take concerted, serious action to curb the spread of deviant teachings, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
In a meeting with Jakim on Tuesday (Sept 24), the Prime Minister said questions were raised on the line of thought that deviated from the belief of Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah.
ALSO READ: GISB material to be used as evidence
“(This) demands … action by Jakim and enforcement agencies to investigate and eradicate any form of deviation down to their roots,” he said in a Facebook post accompanied by several photographs of the meeting.
Anwar noted that the Madani government views such matters seriously, particularly those that touch on the faith and religious practices of Muslims in the country.
“May Allah protect us and this country from any danger and threats that deviate and could damage the true foundations of our faith and religious practices,” he added.
The meeting followed recent investigations by authorities into the activities of GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISB) for a slew of alleged criminal offences including deviant teachings.
ALSO READ: Cops may use Sosma as probe to enter new phase
Jakim is looking at pamphlets and books seized during raids on GlSB that would form the basis of a report to be discussed at the National Council of Islamic Religious Affairs meeting from Tuesday to Thursday (Sept 26).
On Saturday (Sept 21), Perlis became the first state to declare GlSB a deviant sect while the Selangor mufti’s department will meet on Sept 30 to decide on the matter.
Kelantan mufti Datuk Mohamad Shukri Mohamad was reported to have said on Saturday that Kelantan would only declare GISB as deviant if its teachings are found to be similar to that of the banned al-Arqam sect.
ALSO READ: Five more cults to be gazetted as deviant, says Melaka mufti
On Sept 17, the Melaka government gazetted five cults as deviant following a declaration by the Melaka fatwa committee that these groups had strayed from the true teachings of Islam.
Meanwhile, Anwar described the meeting with Jakim as a crucial one concerning economic prospects in the halal sector, both domestically and internationally.
He said collaboration among federal agencies is required to further boost the nation’s halal industry.
