There is a clandestine group, which has been active over the past decade, that aims to make the country a part of an Islamic empire, claimed the Islamic Youth Movement of Malaysia (Abim) today.

Calling themselves 'Kumpulan Din/Pemuda Kahfi', its members were said to subscribe to a deviant Islamic teaching.

Abim has since informed the police as well as the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) of the matter.

At a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today, Abim president Yusri Mohamad ( right ) said the group claims that Malaysia is not a full Islamic nation.

Apart from this, he said it also posed the threat of diverting Muslims here with its anti-hadis (the sayings and traditions of Prophet Muhammad) stand, interpretation of the Quran to its own logic and instilling a sense of blind loyalty in its members.

"It (the group's activities) have been traced in Seri Kembangan, Kajang, Ampang and Gombak, (all in Selangor), as well as several other parts of the country," he added.

Yusri said the group is believed to have links with similar movements in Indonesia and it's members operate in a stealth manner to avoid detection by the authorities.

"I believe the group's modus operandi is based on that of a deviant group in Indonesia which aims to turn the republic into an Islamic state," he added.

According to a press release from Abim, it is said the group wants to make Malaysia part of an Islamic empire that will consist of other Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia and Vietnam.

It was also stated that the group has completed recruitments in 48 'territories' around the world.

It added that the recruitment process has yet to be completed in Malaysia and Saudi Arabia.

Students and professionals

According to him, the members of Kumpulan Din/Pemuda Kahfi comprises mainly of youths in their 20s and students from local higher learning institutions.

However, he was unable to provide a figure of the group's membership, saying it was enormous and also consists of professionals.

It also could not be ascertained if there are any high-profile individuals involved.

Yusri said he received the information about the group from former members, who had joined last year.

He also revealed that members are charged nearly RM5,000 for 'redemption' fees, course fees and to visit other Islamic countries.

"It is also compulsory for each member to get 10 new members, namely from among their family and friends," he said.

Also present at the press conference, was a former member of the group.

Requesting anonymity, he said he joined the group after being influenced by a close friend in the middle of last year.

After paying RM1,350, he was taken to a building in Taman Shamelin Perkasa in Cheras to undergo religious classes.

The teachings, he added, confused him as they did not believe in the hadis. This motivated him to leave.

"When I left, the other members accused me of being kafir (infidel)," he said, adding that many have withdrew from the group.