Deviant sect leader dies from respiratory problem

Deviant sect leader ‘Tuhan Harun’, whose real name was Harun Mat Saat, died Tuesday at Tengku Ampuan Afzan (HTAA) Hospital from respiratory problem.

Harun, 50, was reported to have died at 4.40 pm while receiving treatment at the hospital.

When contacted, his lawyer Hermes Putra Media Ibrahim said he was informed by Harun's son that he had died while undergoing tests to determine his ability to attend a court hearing.

"However, I have not yet received any further information on the facts of his death.

"I’ve been informed that the hospital is now waiting for the police to report his death before a post-mortem is conducted," he said.

He added that Harun's remains were expected to arrive at his village in Batu Talam, Raub, for burial, once the post-mortem and final rites had been performed at the hospital.

Together with five of his followers, Harun was being tried at the High Court here on the charge of conspiring to kill a Pahang Islamic Religious Department officer three years ago.

Harun, 50, his third wife Azida Mohd Zol, 33, their driver Shaizral Eddie Nizam Shaari, 40, and three followers were charged with conspiring the crime by agreeing to murder Ahmad Raffli Abd Malek.

They were charged with committing the offence at No 7, Lorong IM 2/29, Bandar Indera Mahkota, here, at 1.50 pm on Nov 10, 2013.

The case is being tried under Section 302 and 120B (1) of the Penal Code, read together with Section 34, which provides for a mandatory death sentence, if convicted.