KOTA KINABALU, June 1 — Some 300 individuals, including 12 key leaders and organisers of a deviant religious group, were detained in a joint enforcement operation conducted by the Sabah Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JHEAINS) and the police in Likas here today.

Acting Kota Kinabalu police chief Supt Syed Lot Syed Ab Rahman said the operation was carried out following a public complaint received by JHEAINS on May 28 regarding the ‘Jalsa Salana Wilayah Sabah Ke-32’ programme held from May 29 to 31.

He said checks found that the programme was linked to the Ahmadiyah Qadiani movement, which was declared deviant and contrary to Islamic teachings by the Sabah State Fatwa Council and gazetted in 2007.

“The programme was attended by senior leaders of the Ahmadiyah Muslim Jamaat Malaysia (JAMM) as well as members from several districts in Sabah.

“Authorities also seized 24 buntings featuring the founder and top leaders of the Ahmadiyah Qadiani movement, as well as about 200 books and reading materials related to the teachings,” he said in a statement.

The case is being investigated under Sections 52(1), 52A and 102 of the Sabah Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment 1995.

Syed Lot said all those detained were brought to the Kota Kinabalu district police headquarters for documentation and further investigation by JHEAINS before being released on bail in accordance with existing legal provisions.

He advised the public to seek religious guidance only from recognised and credible sources, and to consult religious authorities if they have doubts about any teachings or religious doctrines being propagated.

He added that stern action would be taken against any individual or group found to be deviating from Islamic teachings. — Bernama