KELANTANESE religious authorities last night arrested several individuals including a political party division head suspected of heading a Shia Muslim group.

The Malaysian Insight spoke to a police source who confirmed the arrest and said that the 65-year old suspect with a Datuk title was among 50 suspected Shia followers detained in an operation organised by the Kelantan Islamic Affairs and Religious Department (JAHEAIK).

However, the police officer refused to disclose which party the man belonged to.

“I can’t disclose that as investigations are still ongoing. I believe there will be a press conference tomorrow,” the source said.

According to the New Straits Times, Shia books were seized in the one-hour operation which began at 10.30pm and which was assisted by the police.

“The local religious authority, with the help of other enforcement agencies, has been monitoring the group for many years. No one was ever caught, as they always managed to escape.

“However, this time, luck was not on their side,” the source was quoted as saying by the NST.

The English daily said that JAHEAIK director Che Mohd Rahim Jusoh will hold a press conference tomorrow on the arrests.

Apart from the Shia group, the state religious authority had also identified several other “similar groups” which are active in the state. – September 1, 2018.