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New cult reaching out via Internet

The Star, Malasia
Feb. 2, 2006
thestar.com.my

ReligionNewsBlog.com • Saturday February 4, 2006

A new cult calling itself Kerajaan Tuhan (Kingdom of God), which is based in Indonesia, is reaching out to Malaysians via the Internet, the mainstream Chinese papers reported.

Led by a 58-year-old single mother, who reportedly has a young son, the reports quoted the sect’s website as saying that its membership was growing and that its followers included politicians.

Cult founder Lia Aminuddin claimed that an angel came to her in 1997 and had since trained and tested her to be “the saviour.”

She also claimed to be God’s anointed judge to mete out punishment on disbelievers.

The former gardener, who referred to herself as “Lia Eden”, said recent natural calamities that had occurred were all forms of punishments from God against those who challenged the authenticity of the cult’s teachings.

China Press, Nanyang Siang Pau and Sin Chew Daily, which carried reports of the cult, also featured pictures from its website which showed various rituals performed by the followers.

All of them were dressed in white robes while many, who had their heads shaved, wore white bands around their head.

Responding to the reports, the Selangor Religious Department (Jais) said the cult was similar to the disbanded Ayah Pin movement and had elements of three major religions (which was not named).

Jais public relations officer Fakrul Azam Yahya said their officers were preparing to take action against the cult although they had yet to receive any complaint.