Authorities urged to investigate deviant 'Imam Mahdi' group

The state government wants the authorities concerned to monitor and investigate allegations on the existence of a deviationist movement in the state which is spreading its influence nationwide.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir, nevertheless, said the state government had not received any report on the activities of the group in the state. "Nonetheless, we urge the authorities to monitor this development and to take action if the group exists. "We do not regard this matter lightly and will take action if it is found to be true as reported," he told reporters after attending an Aidilfitri Open House organised by the Perak Water Board here, Tuesday.

According to Zambry, deviant activities were a serious matter especially when it claimed to be gathering weapons for war.

Zambry was commenting on a report by local Malay daily Utusan Malaysia that the group, headed by a man claiming to be Imam Mahdi, planned to set up an armed group, dubbed Mahdi Army.

The report stated that the group was influencing the public by using ulama to become its members.

The group was also alleged to be stockpiling weapons for war and they were said to be preparing to declare their loyalty to Imam Mahdi in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

The report also claimed that Perak Mufti Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria had urged the police to quickly take action to curb the deviationist movement from expanding further. In another development, Zambry reiterated his hope that the federal government would consider the proposal of the state government to build a water tunnel from Sungai Perak to the Bukit Merah Dam Reservoir.