Sepang, Malaysia - The religious advisor to the Prime Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Othman wants the deviant Ayah Pin sect to be probed more seriously, especially from the security angle.
All matters relating to Islam were limited not only to state religious agencies, as deviant sects like the Ayah Pin cult could spread their influence across states, he said.
As such, he said the Internal Security Ministry should get directly involved to assist state religious agencies in nipping such problems in the bud.
"The Internal Security Ministry's cooperation must be obtained as the nation's enemies can get a foothold in the country through deviationist teachings like those of the Ayah Pin cult," he told reporters after launching the third International Islamic Labour Confederation conference here today.
Meanwhile, he said studies were being made by Pusat Islam with the cooperation of other agencies to determine how much Ayah Pin's teachings had undermined the faith of Muslim followers.
Abdul Hamid also said the movements and activities of the group were being monitored closely by the National Council For Islamic Affairs (MKHEI) which is chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
He also supported the statement by Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Noh Omar yesterday that the Terengganu Islamic Affairs Department should lead any action taken against the cult's leader Ariffin Muhamad aka Ayah Pin and his followers.