Islamic sect leader 'repents'

Kuala Lumpur - Ashaari Mohammad, leader of Malaysia's banned al-Arqam Islamic sect, appeared after nearly two months in detention to repent of his 'deviationist teachings'.

His confession, in front of about 50 government-backed Muslim scholars and officials at a closed-door meeting at the National Mosque, was videotaped and shown later on national television. The exercise was seen as an effort to undermine Mr Ashaari's authority. The government has accused the sect of being a security threat. AP