The state Mufti Department has proposed that the SecurityOffencesAct (Special Measures) 2012 (SOSMA) be improved to curb the spread of Syiah teachings in the country.

Kedah Deputy Mufti Sheikh Marwazi Dziyauddin said the improvement was necessary due to technical constraints which prevented the authorities from taking action against individuals suspected of involvement in the spreading ofSyiahteaching.

"Generally, we know even the police could not take action against individuals involved in theSyiahteaching due to the legal constraints, therefore it is more appropriate that SOSMA be amended to enable the authorities to do so," he told reporters after the National Security Dialogue Session at the Home Ministry Hall, here Thursday.

Also present was Bukit Aman Counter Terrorism Principal Assistant Director, Special Branch (E8), Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay with 500 participants comprising civil servants andtahfizstudents in Alor Setar and Kubang Pasu.

Sheikh Marwazi said the state Mufti department was studying the matter seriously as theSyiahextremist movement could lead to the tendency of Muslims joining militant groups.

He said in Kedah the spread of the Syiah teachings was still under control.