Three Men Plead Guilty To Performing Worship Ritual In Batu Pahat

BATU PAHAT, Aug 30 (Bernama) -- Three men pleaded guilty in the Syariah Court here today to a charge linked to their involvement in a worship ceremony shown in the viral "Show Puja Jin Batu Pahat" video, which featured a Kuda Kepang dance.

Muhammad Suhail Suttrysono, 35, Azman Mohamed Seh, 45, and Anuar Bandi, 40, entered their guilty plea after the charge was read out before Syariah Judge Syazwan Mohd Yusof.

According to the charge sheet, Muhammad Suhail, a security guard, and Azman, a mechanic, were accused of performing a worship ceremony, under Section 3 of the Johor State Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment 1997, which carries a maximum fine of RM3,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both, if convicted.

Anuar was charged with abetting the worship ceremony by acting as a gendang player, under Section 43(b) of the same enactment, which provides for a punishment equivalent to that for the main offence.

All three were charged with committing the offence between 10 pm and 1 am in an open area at a house on Jalan Pasar, Parit Raja, on Aug 10.

Johor Chief Syariah Prosecutor Ahmad Wafi Abdullah appeared for the prosecution, while all the accused were unrepresented.

In his submission, Ahmad Wafi called for a deterrent sentence, arguing that the act involved a matter of akidah, or faith, that cannot be compromised by Muslims, unlike a moral offence such as khalwat (close proximity).

He said Muhammad Suhail, directly involved in the ceremony, had been playing the kuda kepang since 14 and had a basic religious education up to standard six, yet continued the practice despite being advised several times and being informed of the fatwa to cease the activity.

The court granted the three accused bail of RM2,000 each, with two sureties from family members residing in Batu Pahat.

The case has been fixed for mention on Sept 2 for sentencing.

--BERNAMA