SELANGOR religious authorities have identified seven teachings as deviant between 2021 and 2026 after carrying out detailed and systematic investigations.
The head of the Fatwa Division at the Selangor Mufti Department, Mohamad Shukry Sulaiman, said the process goes far beyond responding to public complaints.
Instead, it involves in-depth research, interviews, and coordination with multiple agencies, including the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS), reported Media Selangor.
Only after gaining a clear understanding of a group’s beliefs will authorities prepare a formal assessment, which is then measured against the core tenets of Ahli Sunnah Waljamaah before any ruling is made.
Decisions on whether a teaching deviates from accepted Islamic doctrine are finalised during Fatwa Committee meetings, he said, stressing that each case is handled with careful deliberation rather than assumption.
Cases involving teachings that spread beyond Selangor are escalated to the national level for further discussion before being standardised across states.
Following a ruling, the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) introduced rehabilitation programmes aimed at guiding followers back to mainstream beliefs.
These programmes are structured but flexible, recognising that individuals respond differently.
Some participants can reintegrate quickly, while others take longer. There are also cases where individuals comply with the programme requirements without genuine engagement.
“Recovery differs from person to person. Some respond quickly, others take longer. Some individuals attend merely to fulfil requirements, but overall, the process is manageable — much like attending a religious class,” he said.
Separately, officials noted that certain groups declared deviant locally continue to operate abroad, using social media to maintain their presence and reach.
Assistant Mufti Nur Atiqah Sulaiman said enforcement becomes more difficult in such cases, especially when individuals relocate overseas but remain active online.
Senior Assistant Mufti Abdul Wahid Ishak added that legal action is not limited to group leaders.
“There have been instances where supportive content is shared online by individuals who are neither members nor leaders of these groups. Such actions may still warrant enforcement,” he said.
Followers and even individuals who promote or amplify such teachings on social media can also face consequences.
While enforcement on digital platforms falls under the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), authorities face ongoing challenges as new accounts can be easily created, allowing such content to resurface. – May 28, 2026
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