Home Ministry ready to help JAKIM to probe man claims to be Imam Mahdi - Ahmad Zahid

The Home Ministry is ready to cooperate with the Islamic Development Department of Malaysia (Jakim) to stop the activities of an Indonesian, Muhammad Zubir Amir Amir Abdullah who claimed to be Imam Mahdi (the Messiah to come at the time of the Last Judgement to save the world).

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that the ministry was fully aware and respect that religion was a state matter, but if it was asked to take appropriate action against the man, it was ready to do so.

"I wish to state that deviant teachings among Muslims began to spread when there is liberalisation policy by desired by some NGOs (non-governmental organisations).

"To me, we should not be trying to compromise as the matter of faith is something which must be held by Muslims, when a person claimed that he is Imam Mahdi or someone like that, they are trying to deflect the faith of Muslims," he told reporters after launching the Immigration Day 2015 here today.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister, expressed his concern that problems would arise if there was no immediate action taken against the man.

"In this regard, I hope that the person will stop the activities and action will be taken by Jakim but the ministry will assist them in enforcement," he said.

On Thursday, the man claimed that he was made Imam Mahdi by his 11 followers at a ceremony in Makkah on July 18.