Acting swiftly to curb clandestine religious cult activities in Brunei, the authorities have detained three alleged ‘king pins’ including a 57-year-old retired senior superintendent of police and two others for questioning.
The arrest of the well-known ex top cop identified as Haji Mohd Fredie Chong Abdullah who retired two years ago has surprised some members of the public.
The other two are businessmen who together with the retired police officer, it is alleged, have been actively recruiting members to join the underground group. One of the detained men comes from a prominent business family in oil town Seria.
He has been named as Haji Malai Taufick and the third person as Yunus Murang.
The authorities have been keeping a strict watch on the group for some time and on Monday they swooped on them. Books and other materials, were also seized, it is understood.
It is the second time in recent months the authorities have acted on time to safeguard the peace and tranquility of the country.
Less than a year ago several members of the Malaysian based Al Mauna sect was detained.
This time the Brunei group is understood to have been influenced by a group in Sabah and Sarawak.
The sect seemed to have Christian leanings and they tried to influence some members of the public by visiting their homes.
Secret meetings were also frequently held, in homes and in jungle locations, it is learnt.
It is understood that the three are held at the Berakas police station, before being taken to another location.
According to informed sources they are being detained for being allegedly involved in “some kind of subversive activities.”
They are said to have close links with a secret clandestine movement in a neighboring state, the source said.