Police monitoring 56 deviant religious groups

The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), with the cooperation of religious authorities, are monitoring 56 deviant religious groups that could pose a threat to public order and security in the country, the Dewan Negara was told today.

Deputy Home Minister Masir Kujat said stern action under existing laws would be taken if there were proof that the religious groups were involved in militant and terror activities, like handling of firearms.

He said the laws included the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA), Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) 2015 and the Penal Code.

"Necessary actions, with the cooperation of the various government agencies, like the Registrar of Societies, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and local government authorities, have been taken from time to time to address deviationist teachings," he added.

He was responding to a question from Senator Datuk Megat Zulkarnain Omardin who wanted to know the spread of deviationist teachings and how could they be a threat to security in the country.

Masir said the police do not have the power to determine whether a religious teaching is deviant or not as the matter comes under the jurisdiction of the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) and religious authorities in the respective states.