Banned sect attempts revival

Banned sect attempts revival

MALAYSIA: The Malaysian government has warned that it will crack down on followers of a local Muslim sect who try to revive the banned movement, news reports in Kuala Lumpur said on Sunday.

Deputy Home Minister Zainal Abidin Zin said former members of the Al-Arqam group have held secret meetings over the past five months in rural parts of Malaysia, where the movement flourished before the government banned it in 1994 for allegedly spreading heretical religious teachings.

Zainal didn't elaborate on what form a crackdown would take, but police were monitoring the movement to ensure it is not revived.

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's government detained the movement's founder, Ashaari Muhamad, and 15 other top members for two months in 1994. They were released after they appeared on national television and claimed to have repented.

Authorities also disbanded communes run by the Al-Arqam sect, which owned supermarkets, factories and other businesses and claimed to have 100,000 members at the height of its popularity. There were no reports of violence during the crackdown. --AP