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By Mihar Dias April 2025
The Malaysian-made series Bidaah recently crossed a billion views online. https://search.app/AAk2hwTDYsYhdzxy6
That’s not just a milestone for local drama—it’s a signal that the story is striking a nerve among viewers in both Malaysia, Indonesia and elsewhere in Asia.
On the surface, Bidaah is a fictional drama. A young woman, under pressure from her devout mother, joins what appears to be a religious group. But the deeper she goes, the more disturbing it gets. The group turns out to be a cult, led by a man who demands total obedience, arranges forced marriages, and even asks followers to drink his bath water—all in the name of religion. https://search.app/AAk2hwTDYsYhdzxy6
It would be easy to dismiss this as fiction. But sadly, we’ve seen similar things happen in real life. Over the years, both countries have had cases involving groups that start as religious movements and end up as vehicles for abuse, manipulation, and control. Some of these cases involved human trafficking, money scams, and psychological abuse—all hidden under the banner of religion. https://search.app/AAk2hwTDYsYhdzxy6
So why do these cults keep appearing?
For many, it begins with a search for meaning. Life is not easy, and people often turn to religion for comfort and guidance.
When someone comes along with all the answers, it can be tempting to follow—especially when that person quotes scripture, speaks with confidence, and promises a direct path to God.
But these promises often come at a price: don’t question, don’t doubt, don’t think—just obey.
Another issue is how religion is often taught. Many are taught from a young age to follow without asking. Religion becomes something memorised, not understood. This creates a blind spot, where people confuse charisma for credibility and ritual for righteousness.
When Bidaah became popular, the response from authorities was predictable. Malaysia’s Department of Islamic Development (Jakim) summoned the filmmakers. In Indonesia, scholars warned that the show could cause misunderstanding. https://search.app/AAk2hwTDYsYhdzxy6
But this kind of defensiveness misses the point.
The real danger isn’t the show. The real danger is what the show reflects—how easy it still is for some to fall into the hands of so-called religious leaders who promise salvation but deliver suffering.
Director Erma Fatima revealed that Bidaah was based on her own experience. She didn’t name the group, but her message was clear: this is happening, and it’s closer than we think. https://search.app/AAk2hwTDYsYhdzxy6
Instead of silencing stories like Bidaah, we should ask ourselves harder questions: Why do people fall for cult leaders? Why do some feel safer with strangers than with their own families or mosques? What can we do to help those who are searching for faith but end up being manipulated?
If we’re serious about preventing cults and deviant teachings, we need more than censorship. We need open conversations, better religious education, and a willingness to admit that not all who speak in the name of religion are doing good.
Because at the end of the day, the real heresy isn’t what’s on screen. It’s what we ignore.
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