17 deviant teachings detected last year – Zahid

PUTRAJAYA: Seventeen deviant teachings were detected in the country last year, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister said according to a report by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais), 19 out of 39 deviant teachings in the state were still active.

However, he said due to consistent efforts and commitment by Jais and the relevant agencies, a total of 246 arrests were made last year as compared to only 31 in 2016.

“This shows the government’s seriousness in ensuring (ongoing) efforts to elevate the Sunnah Wal Jamaah institution in Islamic practice in Malaysia.

“We are serious in addressing the threat of deviant teachings,” he said in his speech at the fourth Islamic Consultative Council (MPI) Dakwah and Islamic Thoughts Multaqa (gathering) here yesterday.

Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki and Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) director-general Tan Sri Othman Mustapha.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid, who is also MPI chairman, announced the appointment of former Selangor menteri besar, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim as the new MPI Economic Cluster chief, replacing Tan Sri Muhammad Ali Hashim who died in October last year.

Meanwhile, the deputy prime minister also called on strengthening the roles of the ‘ulamas’ and ‘umara’, especially so when dealing with the threats on the mind of the Muslim, which came in various forms.

“The attack on the Muslim mind also comes through action by certain parties which uphold the practical sociology through pluralism... and activities that celebrate the rights of the socalled discriminated groups such as the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT),” he said.

Ahmad Zahid also received a resolution from the MPI Dakwah and Islamic Thoughts clusters at the gathering which was attended by about 600 participants.

Among others, the resolution touched on the challenges faced by Muslims which needed full commitment not only by the government but also the ulamas and non-governmental organisations, he added. Bernama