Menteri Besar Zambry Abd Kadir, nevertheless, said the state government had not received any report on the activities of the group in the state.

“Nonetheless, we urge the authorities to monitor this development and to take action if the group exists.

“We do not regard this matter lightly and will take action if it is found to be true as reported,” he told reporters after attending an Aidilfitri Open House organised by the Perak Water Board here, 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 Mahdi Army.

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

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 Mekah, 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.