GOVERNMENT TO CONTINUE MONITORING DEVIANT TEACHINGS - ZULKIFLI

TANJONG MALIM, Feb 14 (Bernama) -- The government has assured that monitoring of any questionable or deviant teachings is carried out continuously to safeguard the sanctity of Islam in the country.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hassan said the authorities, together with relevant agencies, were working closely with enforcement bodies to ensure that any dissemination of teachings that contradicted the Quran and Sunnah was addressed promptly.

“The monitoring measures are important to prevent Muslims from being misled by unsound beliefs, especially as Muslims focus on strengthening their religious practices during Ramadan.

“We do have parties monitoring closely and continuously, and all these efforts are carried out to safeguard the overall aspects of religious affairs in our country,” he said.

Zulkifli said this at a press conference after officiating the Jom ke Sekolah 2026 programme, a visit to KAFA religious schools and a luncheon programme at Dewan Semai Bakti, Felda Sungai Behrang near here today.

He also urged the public to refer to the authorities or knowledgeable individuals if they came across any doubtful matters.

“The community also plays an important role by channeling information or reports to the authorities if they detect any suspicious activities.

“I also call on Muslims to make Ramadan a platform to strengthen worship, increase charitable deeds and remain anchored to the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah,” he said.

Earlier, Johor Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid said eight deviant movements were still detected to exist but were inactive and under close monitoring by the Johor State Islamic Religious Department (JAINJ).

Meanwhile, the Sungai Behrang Felda community received total contributions amounting to more than RM115,000, comprising educational, religious and welfare assistance through the Jom ke Sekolah 2026 Programme held here today.

Zulkifli said the assistance delivered comprised RM20,000 to Sekolah Agama KAFA, RM20,000 to Masjid Ar-Rahmaniah Sungai Behrang, as well as RM10,000 each to four surau in the area.

“In addition, through the Yayasan Taqwa MAIWP initiative in collaboration with Felda, a total of 195 students from needy families received back-to-school assistance amounting to RM35,685.

“This contribution is in addition to the government’s early schooling assistance to help ease the burden of parents, particularly in providing quality supplies for their children for this year’s school session,” he said.

In another development, he said his department had launched the National-level Ihya Ramadan Programme this morning at the Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Mosque in Putrajaya, involving various religious activities and assistance to communities nationwide.

Among the main contributions announced were Ihya Ramadan assistance from the Muslim World League amounting to over RM350,000, benefiting more than 1,000 recipients, as well as an RM250,000 contribution from Nestlé to be distributed throughout Malaysia, including to more than 70 mosques through beverage products.

Lembaga Tabung Haji has also channelled contributions amounting to RM1.4 million to 14 religious schools nationwide, with each institution receiving RM100,000.

-- BERNAMA