Acting Kota Kinabalu police chief Syed Lot Syed Ab Rahman said an investigation found that the programme was associated with the Qadiani teachings, gazetted as deviant by the Sabah State Fatwa Council in 2007.

“A total of 300 individuals were detained to assist in the investigation, including 12 leaders and organisers,” he was quoted by Sinar Harian as saying.

He said the programme was also attended by senior leaders of Jemaah Ahmadiyah Muslim Malaysia and members from several districts in Sabah.

The operation was jointly conducted by the Sabah Islamic religious affairs department and the police following public complaints.

Authorities also seized 24 banners featuring the movement’s founder and senior leaders, programme documents, attendance lists, and about 200 books, publications and reading material linked to the group’s activities.

Those detained were taken to the Kota Kinabalu police headquarters for documentation and further investigation by the state Islamic religious affairs department before being released on bail.

Syed Lot urged the public to seek religious guidance from recognised authorities and report any concerns about deviant teachings being propagated.

“Firm action will be taken against any individual or group found to be deviating from Islamic teachings,” he said.