Public and private institutions of higher learning are urged to take stern action against lecturers and students involved in Syiah teachings.

Higher Education Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin, in making the call, said Syiah teachings contradicted with the teachings of Islam in this country.

"I want the university administration to concentrate on lecturers as they are capable of influencing others, particularly students, in order to prevent the teachings from spreading," he told reporters after presenting aid to students from low-income families at Taman Johor Jaya, Johor Bahru today.

He said this when asked to comment on the detention of 200 Syiah followers in Selangor, who included lecturers and students of institutions of higher learning, on Thursday by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais).

The detention was made following a raid on a fourth floor unit of a shop house at Taman Sri Gombak, Batu Caves.

- Bernama