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Brunei Cracks Down On Christian Group
by Kazi Mahmood for IslamOnline
SINGAPORE, March 22 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - The tiny kingdom of Brunei stepped up its crackdown on anti-Islamic activities by brandishing the Internal Security Act (ISA) against a Christian group on Thursday.
The Internal Security Department of Brunei made several arrests on charges of subversive activities. Those arrested were said to have acted against the constitutional laws of Brunei, and disrupting religious harmony in this country.
Some 25 people were arrested, 13 Muslims and 12 Christian members of a local group called Borneo Bible Council. Police said the group had set up an unregistered association in Brunei.
The investigations resulted in the detention of three Bruneians under the ISA following their involvement in alleged subversive activities. They were found to have made secret plans designed to mislead Muslims through lies, the security department said.
Two of those arrested confessed to being baptized and becoming Christian, and had hidden from the authorities. They planned to attract more Muslims into becoming their followers.
A member of the Borneo Bible Council is now being held under a detention order in force in Brunei. He is suspected of being directly involved in planning and undertaking alleged subversive activities in connection with foreign elements.
Investigations also revealed that those involved had brought in equipment and printed materials illegally in order to spread their propaganda secretly. The materials and equipment were brought in with help from private individuals from abroad.
The group's act has been perceived as capable of disturbing religious harmony and the country's stability, as their activities involved the use of sacred Islamic sites in the country.
"Their activities would have brought about a chaotic situation among locals and undermine the Malay Islamic Monarchy in this country had it not been stopped," says a communiqué.
Investigations also revealed that a large number of Muslims had undergone religious medical treatment, which was also perceived as a deviation from the Muslim faith.
Members of the Brunei Borneo Bible Council reportedly provided these treatments.
Reports indicate that leaders of the group have baptized two members to carry on propaganda and conversion activities in Brunei.
Meanwhile, the 11 remaining members of the Christian group were released, although some of them were found to be involved in acts against Bruneian laws.
Following the case, the Internal Security Department reminded the Bruneian public to follow existing laws and regulations so that religious harmony and public peace can be maintained.
The Internal Security Department will not hesitate to take necessary action against any individuals or groups involved in activities against the laws and regulations of the country, it stated in the communiqué.
One of the arrested Christians is also said to be the leader of a Brunei-based Borneo Evangelical Mission Church (SIB) and to be involved in clandestine operations and responsible for establishing links with foreign members of the SIB.
Two weeks ago, the King of Brunei Darussalam cautioned his Muslim subjects against what is seen as an attempt by certain undesirable elements to covertly convert Muslims in the country to some other religion.
The ruler said that he would be pleased to remind all Muslim followers to remain strong in maintaining their Islamic faith.
The monarch marked his concern following reports that a certain foreign-based religious missionary group, with the support of some local residents, has tried to lure Muslims out of their faith.
Local residents have complained several times to religious authorities in the Sultanate, situated on the tip of Borneo Island, and bordered by Malaysia.
He warned both Muslims and non-Muslims against apostasy and added that such a matter is "seen as serious and out of the ordinary, especially in the eyes of the Sharia'h and laymen laws."
"We must not view the matter lightly as this involves a matter of faith, one that determines his fate in this world and in the hereafter," he added.
The sultan noted that if a person converts to Islam, he will be seen as blessed, but on the other hand, if a Muslim chooses to give up his or her faith, it will only mark the beginning of their ruin.
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