The government has identified five organisations associated with deviant teachings that can threaten national security, the Dewan Rakyat heard today.

Parliament secretary in the Prime Minister's Department Noh Omar said the five identified were the al-Ma'unah, al-Arqam, Nasuhan, Suci Sejati and al-Naz.

Al-Ma'unah was infamous for pulling off an arms heist in two army camps two year ago. Some members were later charged with waging war against the king, and three have been sentenced to death.

Al-Arqam has been defunct since its leader repented and confessed to propagating deviant teachings. The other organisations are being monitored closely.

"In addition to this, there are 19 quarters, which are not associations, who adhere to deviant teachings," Noh said in response to Wira Abu Seman Yusop (BN-Alor Gajah) during the question-and-answer session.

Wira also wanted to know if the government has identified anti-Islam issues which were "manipulated" by several opposition parties such as PAS.

"Why hasn't the government taken stern action like banning such parties as they are considered deviant parties?" he queried, adding that such teachings could erode the faith of the country's Muslim community.

Noh replied that only the Home Affairs Ministry has jurisdiction in the matter of banning a party.

He said PAS is a registered party approved by the Registrar of Societies.

"What is being questioned is the basis of their struggles, which is Islam. Its leaders who are supposedly ulama (religious scholars) have confused its followers.

"PAS members now regard PAS as Islam and Islam as PAS although we know Islam is a religion created by Allah and PAS is a political party created by men, with its many weaknesses and shortcomings," said Noh.

PAS' alleged decrees

Noh said PAS regarded itself as "perfect" and its leaders have uttered statements to confuse Muslim believers.

The parliamentary secretary raised the ire of PAS MPs when he related several incidents where the Muslim-based party members have allegedly uttered so-called fatwa (religious decrees) that denigrated other Muslims.

In 1993, Noh said, PAS had issued a decree condemning Muslims who share state power with kafirs (non-believers), and declared that it was haram (illegal) to vote for them.

In 1979, he added, PAS leader Mustapha Abu Bakar issued a decree that Muslims prayers conducted and marriage officiated by religious preachers from Barisan Nasional are "tidak sah" (invalid).

Further, in 1980, a PAS information secretary in Kelantan criticised Umno members as non-believers as they allegedly do not obey the teachings of Islam.

"In 1981, Terengganu state assembly representative Awang Bakar accused Umno leaders who administer a country with [the help of] non-Muslims as munafik (hypocrites)," he said.

In 1984, he went on, the Conference of Rulers had issued a decree to stop the accusations of " kafir-mengkafir " among Muslims.

He added that Terengganu Menteri Besar Abdul Hadi Awang's decree that those who died in the farmers' uprising in Memali in 1985 were martyrs, was considered by the rulers as against Islam.

Fatwa Council's decrees

At one stage, Mustafa Ali (PAS-Dungun) tried to raise a point of order to stop Noh from speaking as he considered the latter's statement to be " sangkaan jahat " (bad faith).

Mustafa, who is PAS vice-president, apparently misheard Noh's remarks and said Noh's 'statement' that Hadi's decree had caused the Memali incident was not mentioned in any Fatwa Council.

Noh explained that he merely said the council had issued a decision refuting PAS' statement that the farmers died as martyrs.

He retorted that PAS members often do not respect decisions made by the Fatwa Council anyway.

He said the council also made three latest decrees last year: the word "Islam" is allowed to be used in associations; the question of heaven and hell is in God's hand; and Muslims are not allowed to determine the degree of faith in other Muslims.

Recently, the government has come down hard on religious organisations and political parties like PAS in an attempt to ward off religious extremism and terrorism.

Several religious preachers have been detained under the Internal Security Act since Sept 11.

Dewan Rakyat this afternoon adjourned its current sitting and will meet again in its next session on June 17.