Perak police probes 'Imam Mahdi' deviant group

Perak police are investigating a claim about a deviant religious group in the state which is allegedly trying to spread its influence throughout the country.

State police chief Datuk Seri Abd Rahim Hanafi said police were working closely with the Perak Islamic Religious Department (JAIPk) to keep tabs on the group before taking the necessary legal action.

"Police are cooperating with JAIPk to ascertain the claim which Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir recently mentioned.

"If there are any new developments, I will inform you," he told reporters after an Aidilfitri gathering organised by the Perak Police Contingent Headquarters here last night, which was attended by about 3,000 people.

He was commenting on a local newspaper report on Saturday about a group led by a man who claimed to be Imam Mahdi, which was allegedly planning to form an army known as Tentera Mahdi.

According to the report, the group was trying to woo the public into joining it, with the influence of an ulama.

The group was claimed to have amassed weapons for war and said to be ready to pledge their allegiance to Imam Mahdi in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

In another development, Abd Rahim said Perak's crime index recorded a reduction of 42 reported cases between January and Thursday (July 21).

He said the number of cases dropped by 1.1 per cent, compared to the same period last year.

"Although the crime index in the state has shown a decline, two districts, Taiping and Manjung have recorded an increase.

"Motorcycle theft contributes the most to the crime index rate in the state while house break-in has dropped compared to the same period last year," he said.