Tuhan Harun cult members sent to the gallows for murder of Pahang religious dept officer
Astro Awani
December 27, 2016 17:16 MYT
December 27, 2016 17:16 MYT
Two of cult leader Tuhan Harun followers Sumustapha Suradi and Shamsinar Abdul Halim were escorted out of the High Court here after they were sentenced to death for the 2013 murder of Pahang Religious Department officer. - Photo Astro AWANI
The High Court here today sent two of cult leader Tuhan Harun’s followers to the gallows over the 2013 murder of a Pahang Islamic Religious Department (JAIP) assistant enforcement chief.
Sumustapha Suradi, 42 and Shamsinar Abdul Halim, 39, were found guilty of murdering Ahmad Rafli Abdul Malek, who was shot down at Bandar Indera Mahkota here at 1.50pm on Nov 10, 2013.
The High Court Judicial Commissioner Datuk Ab Karim Ab Rahman meted out the punishment on both the accused today.
Tuhan Harun, whose real name is Harun Mat Saat, 50, died at the Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital (HTAA) here on Aug 16 due to respiratory problems.
The charge against him of conspiracy to murder Ahmad Raffli had been dropped on Aug 26.
Deputy public prosecutors Khamizah Salleh and Nurul Farahah Mohd Suah prosecuted.
During the proceeding, Abdul Karim acquitted Harun's third wife Azida Mohd Zol, 33, their driver Shaizral Eddie Nizam Shaari, 40, and cult follower Jefferi Safar, 39, on charges of conspiring to commit the murder at the same place, time and date.
JAIP assistant enforcement chief Rafli was gunned down in front of his home by three men, who had arrived at his house in a white Proton Wira Aeroback before one of them alighted and fired three shots at him, killing him on the spot.
The religious authorities were believed to have come down hard on the cult prior to the murder especially when the group had reportedly amassed its wealth through a series of shady business deals.
Its ventures had included supposed investment offers in real estate projects, trade from China and Brunei.