The state government wants the authorities to investigate allegations on a deviationist movement in the state, said to be spreading its influence nationwide.

Menteri Besar Zambry Abd Kadir said the state has yet to receive any report on the activities of the group.

"Nonetheless, we urge the authorities to take action, if the group exists.

"We do not regard this matter lightly and will take action if its activities are found to be as reported," he told reporters after attending an Aidilfitri open house organised by the Perak Water Board in Ipoh today.

According to Zambry, deviationist activities were a serious matter especially when the group claimed to be gathering weapons for a war.

Zambry was commenting on a report by a local newspaper (Utusan Malaysia) that the group headed by a man claiming to be Imam Mahdi, planned to set up an armed group, dubbed the Mahdi Army.

The report stated that the group was influencing the public by using ulama to become its members.

Stockpiling weapons

The group was also alleged to be stockpiling weapons for war, and they were said to be preparing to declare their loyalty to Imam Mahdi in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

The newspaper also reported that the mufti of Perak, Harussani Zakaria, had urged the police to quickly take action to curb the deviationist movement from expanding further.

In another development, Zambry reiterated his hope that the federal government would consider the proposal of the state government to build a water tunnel from Sungai Perak to the Bukit Merah Dam Reservoir.

- Bernama