Malaysia monitors deviationist groups

Malaysia monitors deviationist groups

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian religious and law enforcement agencies are monitoring 55 Islamic groups allegedly spreading teachings that deviate from Islam and threaten national security, a minister said on Thursday.

Minister in the prime minister's department Abdul Hamid Othman warned that the powerful Internal Security Act (ISA) -- which allows detention without trial -- may be invoked if the groups continued their activities.

"The authorities will not hesitate to invoke the ISA if the activities of the leaders and followers of these groups reach an alarming stage," he was reported as saying by Bernama news agency.

Hamid said most of the groups, which called themselves by various names, operate in remote plantations and circulate leaflets on "unIslamic" teachings which confuse Moslems besides "being a nuisance to others".