By Hidir Reduan | New Straits Times
Two of cult leader Tuhan Harun’s followers betrayed no emotion when the High Court sentenced them to death today over the 2013 murder of a Pahang Islamic Religious Department assistant enforcement chief.
Sumustapha Suradi, 42, and Shamsinar Abdul Halim, 39, appeared calm in the dock this afternoon when Judicial Commissioner Datuk Ab Karim Ab Rahman meted out the capital punishment on both the accused.
Both men were found guilty of murdering Ahmad Rafli Abdul Malek, who was gunned down at Lorong IM2/29 Bandar Indera Mahkota here at 1.50pm on Nov 10, 2013.
Meanwhile, loud crying reverberated from the public gallery when Ab Karim acquitted Tuhan Harun’s wife Azida Mohd Zol, 33, and his other followers Shaizral Eddie Nizam Shaari, 40, and Jefferi Safar, 39, of conspiracy to murder Raffli.
Azida, clad in black, could be seen sobbing and hugging a policewoman as she exited the dock.
Tuhan Harun, whose real name is Harun Mat Saat, 50, died at the Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital (HTAA) here on August 16. The charge against him of conspiracy to murder Raffli had been dropped on Aug 26.
Deputy public prosecutors Khamizah Salleh and Nurul Farahah Mohd Suah prosecuted.
Counsel Amer Hamzah Arshad, Hermes Putra Media Ibrahim and Mohammad Naim Mahmud acted for the five accused.
JAIP assistant enforcement chief Rafli was shot dead 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.
The deviant group had reportedly amassed its wealth through shady business deals and at one time, had assets valued at RM200 million.
Its ventures had included supposed investment offers in real estate projects, trade from China, as well as sale of mobile phones from Brunei.
