SABAH’S religious authorities are yet to receive reports on the presence of the deviant Hadi Minallah cult.
Special Tasks Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif said all district bodies have been alerted to the movement’s potential spread.
“Religious teachers at places of worship or schools must also do their part in warning the people.
“The people may report any suspicious activity or preaching that seems ‘off’ immediately to the Sabah Islamic Religious Affairs Department (Jheains), State Mufti or Sabah Islamic Religious Council (Muis),” he said, adding that enforcers are always vigilant.
Cult leader, one Indonesian Wayang Hadi Kesumo, known as Hadi Minallah Aminnullah Ahmad, was recently reported to have spread his teachings to at least two states in the peninsula.
Dr Mohd Arifin said this when met after announcing the 2021 Sijil Menengah Ugama (SMU) examination results of 376 candidates from eight religious schools in Sabah.
“A slight dip (0.33 per cent) is observed in overall grades, giving us an 89.09 per cent passing rate compared to 89.42 per cent last year.
“I believe this is due to the unexpected pandemic and the following movement restrictions imposed.
“Nevertheless, the small decline is seen as insignificant. The Government together with Muis and Jheains will continue to improve efficiency and effectiveness, be it the teaching methods or infrastructure,” he said.
He was confident that the recruitment of 131 religious teachers earlier this month would leave positive marks along with the RM800 allowance increment, announced in July, for State religious teachers who have served over a decade.
Speaking of the graduates, he said many have already pursued higher religious studies either in Egypt, the Middle East or in the peninsula.
He said nine students had obtained Mumtaz (excellent) grades.
Overall champion producers were SM Islamiah Tawau with four students landing in Sabah’s top five Kurikulum Bersepadu Dini category, and SMAN Kunak bagging all four spots in the Kurikulum Bersepadu Tahfiz category.
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