Yuli Tri Suwarni and Rizal Harahap, Bandung/Pekanbaru – In the wake of controversy surrounding the al-Qiyadah Islamic sect, authorities and residents are focusing their attention on religious sects in their own backyards.

In Bandung, West Java, authorities responded to public demand by beginning an investigation of the Al Quran Suci sect.

"We will thoroughly investigate this group to determine how far it has deviated from the teachings of Islam," head of Bandung Prosecutor's Office Cuk Suryosumpeno said Friday, after attending a meeting with representatives from the local police and Indonesian Ulema Council.

The Muslim community in Bandung said the sect misled local youth by teaching them to question the Hadith, a compilation of the Prophet Muhammad's sayings and actions).

Misguided Sects Investigation Team member Heddy Muhammad said the sect was believed to have played a role in the disappearance of four local girls – Achriani Yulvie, Fitriyanti, Riya Riyani, and Dwi Ariyani. "We are convinced they are still alive, but we believe they have been brainwashed by the sect."

He censured the police for being slow to investigate the case, but police said the disappearance didn't constitute a crime since the girls left home of their own volition.

Heddy said the sect required new members to pay a large sum of money as a token of atonement. "The minimum sum is Rp 500,000, but we know a member who paid Rp 6 million," he said. In Pekanbaru, Riau, police intensified an investigation into the Al Haq sect following a complaint made in Tampan district.

Residents reported the sect taught members to pray only once a day, instead of the obligatory five times. "We have questioned six members of this sect. We have released them pending our consultation with the local Indonesian Ulema Council," said Pekanbaru Police deputy chief of detectives, Adj. Comr. Arie Dharmanto.

The police learned that new members of the sect were required to contribute Rp 300,000, which they said was used to finance jihad.

Chairman of the National Commission on Human Rights Ifdhal Kasim said the state only had the authority to ban a sect if it disrupted security and public order. "The state does not have the right to interfere with the aqidah (teachings) of a sect," he told The Jakarta Post on Friday.