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.