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".