translation Christian and Buddhist missionary groups are clandestinely spreading their teachings to Muslim patients in several hospitals in Selangor, claimed the state's Islamic religious department (Jais).

According to Jais public relations officer Fakhrul Azman Yahya, these groups purportedly hide behind the veil of social service.

"However, their main motive is to spread their teachings to the patients, especially Muslim patients," he said when contacted yesterday.

Fakhrul said Jais viewed this matter seriously but was unable pursue legal action against these groups as they carried out their work in secrecy.

To counter this, he said Jais had launched the 'Rakan Masjid' programme to encourage Muslim evangelical groups to frequent hospitals.

"As for now, Jais can only help those individuals whom these groups attempted to influence in reinforcing their faith (in Islam)," he explained.

Deviant sects

In another development, Fakhrul said Jais had identified 24 deviant teaching sects in the state. Three of them - the Ibrahim Bonjol group, Islam Jemaah and Hassan Jonet group - are reportedly active.

He said Jais will monitor the leaders and followers of these groups before taking action against them.

He lamented that even when the religious department acted against these sects, they could not be eradicated.

This is because the leaders and followers resume their activities after completing their sentence.

Another factor that allowed these groups to flourish, he said, was the weakness of the state's syariah laws.

For example, he said the jail term or fine imposed on the offenders were 'light' and thus it did not deter or frighten the offenders.

As for the membership of these deviant sects, Fakhrul said the majority were not from Selangor.

"They hail from other states. In fact, there are even those from Singapore, India and Indonesia," he added.

He said several of these sects also originated from other countries prior to taking root in the interiors of Selangor.

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