KL campaigning

KL campaigning against Al-Arqam

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): The Malaysian government is to step up its campaign against the radical Islamic group Al-Arqam by pressing civil servants who are members to quit, officials said yesterday.

The plan is part of a wider clampdown on Al-Arqam, accused by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad of wrongly preaching Islam and forming a militant wing to terrorize the country.

Al-Arqam reportedly has 100,000 members of whom more than 7,000 are influential government workers. Mahathir last week released a directive saying government staff should be turned against the movement in a new attempt to neutralize Al-Arqam.

Officials said the government would try to persuade members to abandon Al-Arqam. Tougher action could follow for those who refuse, they added.

Parliament discussed the alleged acts of Al-Arqam and its self-exiled leader Ashaari Muhammad, who has been accused of projecting himself as a "saviour" of Moslems and a messiah who has met Prophet Muhammad.