‘Syiah group illegal’

Bernama) – The Home Ministry has declared the Syiah Organisation of Malaysia as an organisation that contravenes the law, effective yesterday.

Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Abdul Rahim Mohamad Radzi said the decision was made by the home minister based on Section 5 of the Societies Act 1966.

Rahim said followers had applied to register the organisation with the Malaysian Registration Department in Malacca on June 18, 2011, but this was rejected on Aug 4 the same year.

The organisation appealed to the home minister, but this was also rejected on Oct 31, 2011, he said in a statement.

“Nevertheless, the association continues to operate actively, to the extent of endangering public order and triggering anxiety and worry among Muslims in the country, the majority of whom are members of Sunnah Wal-Jamaah.”