PKR central leadership council member Badrulamin Bahron was detained last night during a raid carried out by the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department (Jais) on a concert organised by former followers of the deviant movement Al-Arqam.

NONE Utusan Malaysia on its front page today said Badrulamin ( left ) had been invited as a special guest to the event in Rawang, dubbed 'Abuya continues leading from the other world' (Abuya terus memimpin walaupun ghaib), to celebrate the birthday of the late Al-Arqam founder Ashaari Muhammad.

Ashaari, who died on May 13, 2010, was named by his followers as 'Abuya' and they believe he would return as Imam Mahdi (prophesied redeemer of Islam) to save the world.

Also reporting on the matter, Sinar Harian said Badrulamin was detained together with more than 20 others.

Detained for khalwat

The former communications director with the Selangor Menteri Besar's Office had been detained at a hotel in Balok, Kuantan, for 'khalwat' or close proximity in February this year by the Pahang Islamic Religious Department.

Badrulamin has denied the accusation, arguing that he was in the hotel to counsel a married woman facing domestic problems.

Quoting sources, Utusan said the concert in Rawang was an attempt to revive the Al-Arqam movement, which was a breach of the Selangor's mufti's instruction under Section 12C of Selangor Syariah Criminal Enactment.

During the raid on the event attended by some 3,500 people, Jais confiscated banners bearing messages that "attempted to revive Al-Arqam teaching", the Umno-owned daily reported.

After Al-Arqam was banned in 1994, its followers established a company called Global Ikhwan Sdn Bhd to continue Ashaari's business empire.

The controversial group, Obedient Wives Club, was established by Global Ikhwan.

PKR leader defends presence at ex-Arqam gathering