Kota Kinabalu: A total of 300 individuals, including 12 leaders and organisers, were detained during a joint enforcement operation by the Sabah Islamic Religious Affairs Department (Jheains) and police against a programme involving followers of the Ahmadiyah Qadiani movement at Dewan SM Lok Yuk, Likas.
Acting Kota Kinabalu Police Chief Supt Syed Lot Syed Ab Rahman said the operation was conducted following a public complaint received by Jheains on May 28 regarding the organisation of the 32nd Sabah Regional Jalsa Salana programme held from May 29 to 31.
He said investigations found the programme was linked to the Ahmadiyah Qadiani movement, which had been declared deviant and contrary to Islamic teachings by the Sabah State Fatwa Council and subsequently gazetted in 2007.
Those detained comprised 12 leaders and principal organisers as well as 288 members of the congregation.
The programme was attended by senior leaders of Jemaah Ahmadiyah Muslim Malaysia (JAMM) and members from several districts throughout Sabah.
Authorities also seized 24 banners displaying the founder and senior leaders of the Ahmadiyah Qadiani movement during the operation.
About 200 books and reading materials related to the teachings, together with programme documents, attendance records, publications and other documents linked to the group's activities, were also confiscated.
The case is being investigated under Sections 52(1), 52A and 102 of the Sabah Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment 1995, while all detainees were taken to the Kota Kinabalu Police Headquarters for documentation and further investigations by Jheains before being released on bail in accordance with the law.
