Kuala lumpur: The government is adopting a whole-of-government approach to strengthen cooperation among agencies in efforts to contain the spread of deviant teachings, which are increasingly circulating on digital platforms and across borders. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), Dr Zulkifli Hasan, stated that the government, in collaboration with the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) and state Islamic religious authorities, remains vigilant in monitoring and addressing any deviant doctrines that contradict the Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah school of thought.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr Zulkifli highlighted the growing challenges of enforcement as deviant teachings evolve from clandestine face-to-face meetings to digital platforms and messaging apps, often disguised as personal development programmes, charitable initiatives, alternative therapies, and informal religious learning. He expressed concerns about the use of motivational and spiritual narratives, psychological approaches, conspiracy theories, and the influence of prominent figures to spread misleading ideas.
Addressing the Dewan Rakyat during a question-and-answer session, Dr Zulkifli was responding to a query from Sabri Azit (PN-Jerai) regarding the government's strategies to curb deviant teachings in Malaysia, the number of arrests made, and interventions to strengthen the beliefs of those deviating from mainstream teachings. He emphasized that the coordinated efforts of multiple agencies, including JAKIM, state Islamic religious departments, police, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, the National Security Council, local authorities, the Immigration Department, and the National Registration Department, have enabled several enforcement actions.
Dr Zulkifli cited the detention of 288 Ahmadiyya Qadiani followers in Sabah on May 31 and a raid on a Syiah centre in Petaling Jaya, resulting in the detention of 226 foreign nationals, as examples of recent enforcement actions. Additionally, he mentioned the government's range of intervention efforts, including targeted counselling for affected members and leaders, Syariah court-ordered placement at faith rehabilitation centres, and rehabilitation programmes to enhance religious understanding under the supervision of Islamic authorities.
He also announced the formation of the National Steering Committee to Address Threats to Faith as part of efforts to strengthen young people's religious understanding. The committee includes representatives from the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Higher Education, the Ministry of Home Affairs, JAKIM, and other agencies. Initiatives include programmes organised by Institut Pemantapan dan Perkaderan Akidah Malaysia (IPHAM), the My Insaniah Programme, and the Rakan Masjid Programme, in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, as well as efforts to strengthen the KAFA 2.0 (Quran and Fardu Ain) curriculum to foster stronger identity and religious resilience among youths.