Five active deviant teachings detected

Five of 81 deviant teachings in the country have been detected to be active, said Malaysia Sunnah Wal Jamaah Members Organisation chairman, Abu Syafiq Mohd Rasyiq Mohd Alwi.

He said the five were the Syiah, al-Arqam, Hizbut Tahrir, Wahabi and Tarikat Naqsha Bandi which were active in Perlis, Kedah, Johor, Perak and Johor.

"The tens of thousands of followers of the deviant teachings are difficult to be identified but we can detect them from their behaviour and practices.

"Currently, they are more likely to use social websites to spread their teachings which contravene the Sunni faith and target the young, especially students of higher learning institutions," he told reporters after a talk programme, Sunday.

Abu Syafiq said the deviant groups were aggressively using the Internet such as websites and blogs to disseminate their teachings and news on their activities.

He said to tackle the issue, the authorities must provide guidelines, especially on the selection of speakers for spiritual programmes.