Kota Kinabalu: Some 300 people, including 12 leaders and key organiser of a deviant Islamic group, were detained during a joint operation by Sabah Islamic Religious Affairs Department (Jheains) and police at SM Lok Yuk, in Likas, on Monday.
Acting Kota Kinabalu Police Chief Supt Syed Lot Syed Abdul Rahman said Jheains received a tip off on May 28 about a gathering of followers of the Ahmadiyah Qadiani movement taking place during its 32nd Sabah Regional Jalsa Salana programme from May 29 to 31.
The Ahmadiyah Qadiani movement had been declared deviant and contrary to Islamic teachings by the Sabah State Fatwa Council Committee and gazetted as such since 2007.
“The programme was also attended by the top leadership of the Ahmadiyah Muslim Community Malaysia (JAMM), along with members from several districts across Sabah,” Syed Lot said, Tuesday.
Authorities seized 24 buntings displaying the founder and senior leaders of the group, along with 200 books and reading materials related to the teachings, programme documents, attendance lists, publications and various other documents linked to the group’s activities.
“The case is being investigated under Section 52(1), Section 52A and Section 102 of the Sabah Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment 1995.
“All individuals were taken to the Kota Kinabalu District Police Headquarters (IPD) for documentation and further investigation by Jheains before being released on bail in accordance with the provisions of the law,” he said.
Syed Lot advised the public to seek religious guidance from legitimate and recognised sources and to consult the relevant religious authorities if they have any doubts regarding particular teachings or religious beliefs.
“Firm action will be taken against any individual or group found to be spreading teachings that deviate from Islamic principles,” he said.
Meanwhile, State Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin bin Datuk Mohd Arif, who is also the State’s Religious Affairs Exco, said 52 Jheains enforcement personnel were involved in the joint operation.
“The 32nd Sabah Regional Jalsa Salana programme was organised by the Jamaat Ahmadiyah Muslim Malaysia (JAMM), which is associated with Ahmadiyah Qadiani teachings,” he said.
“Therefore, Muslims in the State should remain vigilant and avoid any form of dissemination of beliefs that could undermine the sanctity of the Islamic faith,” he said.
Dr Mohd Arifin also expressed appreciation to Sabah Police, particularly the Kota Kinabalu police contingent, for its cooperation in ensuring security during the operation and for assisting efforts to curb the spread of teachings deemed contrary to Islamic beliefs in Sabah.
“We views seriously any attempt to propagate teachings that have been declared erroneous, deviant and contrary to the Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah creed gazetted in the State in 2019,” he said.
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