Police, Immigration Department to bar Abu Bakar Bashir's followers from entering M'sia

The Police and the Immigration Department have been instructed to cooperate with the Indonesian authorities to prevent followers of Jemaah Anshorut Tauhid (JAT) leader Abu Bakar Bashir from entering Malaysia.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamid said the directive was issued as 350 followers of the leader who are currently serving their prison sentence in Indonesia are due to be released next year.

"I have requested the Police and the Immigration Department to work on this with the Indonesian prison, police and immigration authorities because we will not allow former prisoners who are Abu Bakar Bashir's followers to enter Malaysia or use Malaysia as a base to expand their militancy.

"This is because Islam has never taught militancy but Islam teaches moderation," he said when closing the Public Order and Security 2014 seminar here Saturday.

Also present were Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, the Ministry's secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamed Khalid Shariff and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.

At the event, Ahmad Zahid also launched a book entitled 'A Policeman' written by Wan Junaidi, who recounted his experiences while serving as a police officer.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said he had yesterday instructed the Immigration Department to bar the head of the Indonesian Liberal Islam Network (JIL), Dr Ulil Abshar Abdalla from entering the country.

"The police have received several reports that when he delivers lectures or attends programmes organised by non-governmental organisations, he would not only damage the faith of Muslims but also deviates from the teachings of Sunni the Wajama'ah (Shafie sect)," he said.

Ahmad Zahid said the ban would be enforced until he is found to be no longer a danger to Islam.

Dr Ulil is scheduled to arrive in Malaysia on Oct 18 to attend a roundtable in Bukit Damansara here. The roundtable is organised by a think tank.