MELAKA, Oct 23 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Muslim Welfare Organisation (Perkim) should widen its role by helping to identify deviant Islamic teachings, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said.

He said this was necessary with groups claiming to be preaching Islam, but the teachings deviated from the true teachings of the religion.

"We don't question the religion, but on the teachings, whether they are the true teachings of Islam," he said at a dinner in conjunction with the organisation's 48th annual general meeting.

Dr Mahathir, who is Perkim president, said that as a missionary organisation, Perkim should also identify problems facing the Muslim community and to find ways to solve them.

Meanwhile, Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam, in his speech at the dinner, said Perkim would open a branch in all the 28 state constituencies in Melaka.