Ayah Pin followers seek Suhakam intervention
Jul 27, 05 7:15pm
All the arrests made by the Terengganu religious authorities (JHEAT) in the two raids on Kampung Batu 13, the commune led by Ayah Pin in Hulu Besut, Terengganu are unlawful, said a chief inspector. Azli Karsani, (photo, right) identified for the first time as the Perak-based police officer and follower of the self-styled spiritual leader, was arrested during the July 2 raid and has since been suspended from active duty.
Registering his complaint with the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam), he said the authorities had violated stipulated regulations and procedures.
In my experience as an investigating officer, I dare
say that the arrests and detention of the villagers are unlawful, he told three Suhakam commissioners in Kuala Lumpur today.
Being religious authorities, I would have expected them to be more aware of the laws and regulations, he added.
Procedural violations
Citing several procedural violations allegedly committed by JHEAT officers, he said a set of complaints had been sent to nine federal agencies and legal and rights bodies for action but there has been no response to date.
Ive been trained to uphold the truth and law. I believe that all Malaysians have a right to know what is happening to us, he said.
I used to be a corrupt police officer but after meeting Ayah Pin three years ago, I became aware of integrity and tried to discharge my duties accordingly. Azli and 20 other Ayah Pin
followers today registered a series of rights infringements on behalf of the inhabitants residing in the village that is also known as the Sky Kingdom commune, naming state and federal ministers and several government agencies.
Those named were Abdullah Mohd Zin in his capacity as Minister in the Prime Ministers Department in charge of religious affairs and Besut member of parliament and Terengganu Menteri Besar Idris Jusoh.
The Terengganu religious affairs department (JHEAT), the police, the National Fatwa Council and the group of mobsters who had attacked the village at dawn on July 18 were also mentioned in the four-page complaint letter addressed to Suhakam chairperson Abu Talib Othman.
The group, mostly followers in KL, also appealed to Suhakam for protection against further rights violations.
Suhakam complaints and inquiry working group chairperson Prof Mohd Hamdan Adnan, N Siva Subramaniam and Tunku Naziah Tunku Mohamed Rus heard the
complaints. Several secretariat staff were also present. Hamdan (photo, right) said they would contact the police with regards to the 48 followers currently remanded at the Pengkalan Chepa prison pending tomorrows proceeding at the Besut syariah court.
But what is more important is to catch those who violated the law by attacking the village. Immediate action must be taken against them, he noted.
The injustice here lies in the victimisation of the victims with the perpetrators roaming freely.
Authorities in Terengganu and neighbouring states are hunting for the elusive 65 year-old whose real name is Ariffin Muhammad for leading alleged deviant practices at the two-hectare village.
Living together peacefully
Nor Hazam Md Rashid, a freelance musician who performs
in KLs clubs and hotel lounges, defended the commune and Ayah Pins philosophy as a last resort of sorts for many troubled souls.
Life as a musician is tough and after learning about Ayah Pin I found a way out. But what is being reported is totally the opposite of reality, he said, referring to intense media coverage in recent weeks.
At the commune, I met people of different races and nationalities. What we are looking for is peaceful existence with everyone regardless of race, colour or creed. Just by going there doesnt mean we lose our beliefs. Im still a Muslim and I follow the religious principles.
Nor Hazam is among the 21 followers who were arrested in a July 2 raid by JHEAT and will be charged for violating a 1997 fatwa against Ayah Pins teachings on Aug 23.
He described life at the Sky Kingdom commune as one of mutual respect
among the different races, something he said that people may find as very strange.
Weve never violated any laws. We only want to live peacefully. I dont see what all the fuss is about.
As Malaysians, we should accept the fact that there is freedom in how we live our lives and express ourselves.
He said he would readily reject bodies that try to dictate peoples life, thoughts and beliefs.
Im not disputing the fatwa. Im only defending the right to live in peace.
Rozaini Razali, 44, a reformed drug addict since meeting Ayah Pin five years ago, broke down while describing how young children were left behind after the second raid on the morning of July 20.
I cant stand the cruel treatment the village children had to endure ... they are all so young. The religious officers just left them behind and took the parents and other adults, he said, crying.
Even a bad person like me would know that it is very wrong.
Frightening experience
Recounting the mob attack, New Zealander Judith Lillian MacDonald described it as one of the most frightening experiences in her life.
Im shocked with the violence I saw and heard that day, especially in a country like Malaysia which boasts of peace and racial harmony. I always thought it was safer here than Indonesia where I have lived over the last seven to eight years.
Last Wednesday, she was arrested together with 58 others in a JHEAT-led raid but was released the following day after the syariah court determined her to be a Christian.
I said that Im still a Christian in my heart but I also told the judge that Im a Muslim by law as Im married to an Indonesian Muslim, she said.
Now, Im ashamed to call myself a Muslim especially after witnessing such
violence in a so-called peaceful Muslim country.
Referring to Ayah Pin, she said: Im right behind Ayah Pin here because at worst he causes no harm and at best he teaches peaceful co-existence.
Appalling treatment
Describing her time at the Jerteh police lock-up, MacDonald said what the followers had to undergo was appalling and below international human rights standards.
When we told the religious officers about the conditions, they said they were not the police. Does this mean they are above the law? The followers were accompanied to Suhakam by Malaysian Human Rights Society (Hakam) president Ramdas Tikamdas, exco member Raja Aziz Addruse and secretary-general Elizabeth Wong.
Earlier, Ramdas urged Suhakam to immediately probe into the allegations with a view of a public inquiry and a
report on the matter.
As a matter of urgency, I have full confidence in Suhakams ability to discharge its statutory duties.
Referring to the mob attack, Raja Aziz said there appeared to be a serious breakdown of law and order which, if left unchecked, could undermine democracy and the rights of the minority which must be protected.
Penghuni Kerajaan Langit: Antara pujian dan cemuhan
Jul 27, 05 3:18pm
Terjemahan Mereka adalah orang baik, mesra dan murah hati. Mereka bekerja kuat, berdikari dan berkemahiran terutama dalam kerja kimpalan, pertukangan dan kerja-kerja pembinaan. "Saya tidak mereka bermasalah dengan orang lain. Mereka adalah golongan cintakan keamanan dan kesejahteraan dan menumpukan kepada urusan mereka sendiri.
Begitulah kata-kata Lee Gim Choon, seorang keturunan Cina Malaysia, berusia 40-an, yang memiliki sebuah kedai perabot di Pasir Putih, Kelantan, berdasarkan pengalaman ketika mengendalikan urusan perniagaannya dengan penghuni perkampungan tersebut.
Setengah daripada mereka telah membeli perabot daripadanya dan mereka membayarnya melalui bayaran ansuran bulanan. Bagaimanapun,
ketika Lee ke sana Jumaat lalu, untuk mengutip bayaran ansuran bulan, dia mendapat perkampungan tersebut dalam keadaan sunyi sepi. Pada waktu Subuh Isnin lalu, berbelas-belas orang bertopeng telah menceroboh perkampungan itu dan merosak dan membakar kenderaan, bangunan dan binaan di kawasan Kerajaan Langit seluas dua hektar di Kampung Batu 13, Hulu Besut, yang didiami kira-kira 140 penghuni.
Dua hari kemudiannya, kira-kira 60 daripada penghuninya telah ditangkap oleh pihak berkuasa agama negeri kerana didakwa menjadi penikut Ayah Pin, atau nama sebenarnya Ariffin Mohammad, 65.
Pihak berkuasa agama Terengganu telah menawarkan hadiah wang bagi menangkap Ayah Pin yang didakwa membawa ajaran sesat dan mendakwa dirinya sebagai Tuhan.
Perkampungan kecil yang terletak kira-kira 45 minit perjalanan dari Kota
Bharu dan dua setenah jam perjalanan dari Kuala Terengganu, menjadi tumpuan ramai mengenai binaan raksasa berbentuk payung, kendi, bulan sabit dan struktur lain yang didakwa sebagai simbol agama-agama sejagat.
Miliki pelbagai bakat Ketika melangkah melalui serpihan binaan yang rosak itu, di tengah-tengah hujan gerimis, Lee berkata adalah menyedihkan apabila melihat senibina yang cantik itu dirosakkan.
"Apa yang akan terjadi kepada struktur ini? Saya melihat sendiri mereka membina struktur ini. Mereka tinggal di sini, rajin bekerja dan memiliki pelbagai bakat. Penghuni wanitanya juga mendapat sumber pendapatan, dengan menjual gula merah dan hasil-hasil yang lain, katanya.
Lee menganggarkan hiasan tengah struktur di sini bernilai sekurang-kurangnya RM2 juta,
ditambah pula dengan rekabentuk yang unik dan bahan-bahan berkualiti yang digunakan.
"Mungkin pihak kerajaan patut membaiki bangunan tersebut, bersihkan semula kawasan berkenaan, dan membukanya kepada orang awam sebagai taman rekreasi.
Bagaimanapun, tidak semua orang yang sependapat dengannya mengenai pengikut Ayah Pin (foto), yang didakwa oleh pihak berkuasa di Terengganu sebagai pengamal ajaran sesat yang serius yang mengancam ketenteraman awam dan ajaran agama Islam, sepertimana dalam fatwa yang dikeluarkan pada tahun 1997.
Tidak sampai satu kilometer dari situ, seorang peniaga durian di persimpangan jalan utama ke kawasan air terjun di situ, yang dikenali sebagai Pak Uda berkata, Ayah Pin dan pengikutnya telah memalukan penduduk kawasan tersebut.
"Kadang-kadang, dia berhenti minum di sini dengan
beberapa orang pengikutnya. Saya melayan mereka tetapi mengelak bercakap dengan mereka. Saya telah mengenalinya sejak bertahun-tahun dahulu, tetapi pihak berkuasa tidak memperdulikan kehadiran mereka.
"Pendudk yang mengenalinya, kebiasaannya akan menjauhkan diri daripada mereka, katanya ketika ditemui di gerai buah-buahannya.
Kisah pelik Di Pekan Jertih kira-kira 15 minit perjalanan dari Kampung Batu 13 beberapa pemilik kedai dan penduduk tempatan, memberi reaksi berbeza mengenai isu Ayah Pin.
"Tidak banyak yang dilakukan oleh kerajaan PAS sebelum ini untuk menghapuskan kumpulan tersebut. Lihatlan kini mereka bertambah ramai. Saya dengar, sesetengah pengikutnya datang sejauh Perak dan Johor, kata seorang pemilik kafe siber di situ.
Manakala seorang
remaja yang dikenali sebagai Khairul yang mengendalikan sebuah gerai makanan bersama rakannya pada waktu malam, berkata dia ada terdengar mengenai Ayah Pin, tetapi tidak pernah ke perkampungan berkenaan.
Saya pernah mendengar mengenai cerita-cerita pelik mengenainya, selepas boleh menjadi halimunan dan wujud bunyi-bunyi aneh pada waktu malam, tetapi saya tidak sahu jika semuanya benar kerana saya sendiripun, tidak pernah ke perkampungan berkenaan, katanya.
Rakannya Shamsul pula berkata, dia pernah ke perkampungan tersebut selepas mendengar pelbagai kisah pelik yang diceritakan oleh penduduk kampung tetapi ketika berada di sana, dia tidak mengalami sebarang kejadian aneh, kecuali binaan-binaan raksasa tersebut.
Seorang pekerja wanita sebuah motel di Jerteh pula berkata, ada orang yang memberitahunya, ketika
pihak berkuasa membuat serbuan minggu lalu, yang Ayah Pin melarikan diri melalui sebuah terowong dari perkampungan tersebut menuju ke sebuah kawasan hutan.
"Oerang ini begitu yakin terdapatkan terowong kha syang dibina untuk memudahkan Ayah Pin melarikan diri, katanya yang enggan namanya disiarkan.
"Malah, kini ada pihak yang berjenaka yang beliau telah naik ke dalam awan menuju ke Kerajaan Langit. Saya rasa ada pihak yang mempercayainya, katanya lagi.
Implikasi politik
Manakala ramai yang mengikuti perkembangan isu Ayah Pin melalui akhbar dan televisyen, terdapat juga sesetengah pihak yang mempersoalkan mengenai implikasi politik dalam isu tersebut. "Mengapa baru sekarang pihak berkuasa mahu mengambil tindakan terhadap Ayah Pin dan pengikutnya? Sudah
menjadi pengetahuan umum yang pemimpin-pemimpin Umno turut merayu undi di perkampungan tersebut sewaktu pilihanraya umum 2004.
"Maka tidak hairanlah Barisan Nasional menang di kawasan ini. Kami tahu yang Ayah Pin dan pengikutnya mengundi mereka, kata seorang pemandu teksi di terminal baru bas di Jerteh.
Sekumpulan orang yang sedang bersarapan di restoran berhampiran, ketika ditemui, beranggapan yang serbuan pihak berkuasa itu merupakan satu sebuah sendiwara politik kerajaan.
Malah, antara kalangan mereka yang secara terus terang berkata, kemungkinan besar serangan ke atas perkampungan Ayah Pin Isnin lalu diterajui oleh ahli-ahli politik tempatan yang cuba memadamkan arang di muka kerana wujudnya kumpulan ajaran sesat di kawasan pilihanraya mereka.
"Kita tidak tahu apa sebenar yang berlaku di sini
sekarang kerana pihak berkuasa sebelum ini telah menangkap pengikut Ayah Pin tetapi membebaskan mereka kerana kekurangan bukti untuk didakwa.
"Bagaimana pula, secara tiba-tiba sahaja, ada pula kumpulan yang mendakwa sebagai penduduk tempatan, yang menyerang perkampungan itu dan diekori pula dengan serbuah Jabatan Agama Islam?, tambahnya.
Manakala penduduk tempatan yang lega dengan tindakan pihak berkuasa terhadap Ayah Pin, juga mengakui bahawa banyak lagi perkara yang berlaku di situ, yang tidak diketahui awam.
Detained Ayah Pin followers worried about their kids
Jul 26, 05 6:58pm
Followers of Ayah Pin, the self-proclaimed spiritual leader of theSky Kingdom following in Hulu Besut, Terengganu, are worried about the children who were left behind after a raid by the state religious department last week.
He said they have not been allowed any visitor since being detained last Wednesday.
My clients wanted to know if bail would be granted on Thursday because they want to get out of here and return to their children and homes, he said when contacted after his prison visit.
The 48 were detained following a raid by the Terengganu religious affairs department (JHEAT).
The followers were initially detained at the Besut and Jerteh police lock-ups but were transferred to the Kelantan prison yesterday believed to be due to space constraints.
Re-mention or hearing?
So far, no one has complained about the lock-up or prison conditions. They just want to get out of here, said Haris, who is representing five women and four men.
Ive also asked for a copy of the court document ordering the transfer, just in case.
Exactly a year ago to the week, the four apostates lost their bitter struggle for religious freedom when a five-member Federal Court Bench unanimously ruled that they had to face syariah charges for offences prior to renouncing Islam.
The remaining seven were also part of an earlier group of 21 followers who were detained by JHEAT in a July 2 raid.
All were released on bail pending charges under the Terengganu Syariah Criminal Offences (Takzir) Enactment 2001 on Aug 23.
Asked about Thursdays proceedings at the Besut syariah court, Haris said he was unable to confirm whether the matter was to be heard or up for re-mention.
From what I could gather here, it appears to be a re-mention which means a hearing date would be set for later.
Two days before Wednesdays raid, dozens of men armed with iron/wooden rods, parangs and improvised Molotov cocktails attacked the spiritual commune at dawn, torching the giant replicas, smashing glass windows and threatening to kill anyone who dared to step outside.
Mob attack
Terengganu police are still investigating the incident on which several followers have lodged reports.
Contacted today, Besut CID chief Abdullah Abdul Kadir said they were looking for more suspects to assist in the probe into the attack.
To date, district police have recorded statements from two suspects, both of whom have been released.
Police have issued stern warnings against vigilante action similar to the pre-dawn mob attack.
Ayah Pin, whose real name is Ariffin Muhammad, 65, currently tops the JHEATs most-wanted list.
A fatwa (religious edict) gazetted on Dec 4, 1997, by Terengganu religious authority declared his teachings and belief as false, misguided, deviant and a threat to public order and destruction of faith.
The single-page gazette notice, signed by then state JHEAT chief Ismail Ali, warned people against getting involved with Ayah Pins belief or teaching.
In 2001, he was caught, tried and sentenced to jail where he served 11 months after being convicted of insulting Islam.
Last week, the JHEAT with police backup launched a statewide manhunt with tracker dogs for Ariffin and his four wives who successfully evaded arrest.
While villagers and his children claim to have no knowledge of their whereabouts, the authorities believe that Ayah Pin is hiding in the jungle behind the two-hectare commune.
Police in the neighbouring states of Kelantan, Pahang and Perak are also on the lookout based on reports of Ayah Pins large following there.
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