Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - The government of Malaysia has asked the security authorities to arrest a deviationist sect leader, whose activities believed by the government were meant to undermine the faith of Muslims.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Dr Abdullah Mohammad Zin has urged the authorities to act immediately to arrest deviationist sect leader Ariffin Muhammad, 65, who is better known as Ayah Pin, so as to check his activities which were undermining the faith of Muslims.
Abdullah said this issue must be dealt with quickly in order to avoid misconception among the people that the authorities were not serious in stamping out deviant sects.
"His actions challenge the authorities. This problem must be solved because I fear it may confuse the people about the intentions of the authorities," he told reporters.
He said a "fatwa" (religious edict) was issued several years ago proclaiming the sect to have deviated far from Islam.