The owner of a village along the Kelantan-Terengganu border that boasts a cluster of unique giant structures erected by followers of self-styled spiritual leader Ayah Pin has until May 28 to demolish them.

A letter dated April 28 issued by the Besut district land administrator ordered Che Minah Remeli to demolish the buildings comprising a giant pitcher, a vase and an umbrella-like tower, among others, within 30 days of the notice.

Che Minah is the first wife of Ariffin Mohammad, etter known as Ayah Pin. His three other wives also live in the same village, Kampung Batu 13, about 20 minutes from the nearest town of Jerteh.

Construction began in 1998 and was completed in stages by the villagers who also double-up as the maintenance crew and Ayah Pin's band of followers from neighbouring areas. The 65-year-old is also the village head.

By erecting the buildings on her two-hectare land, Che Minah had allegedly contravened the implied conditions for agriculture land under Section 115 of the National Land Code (NLC).

The remote village with a population of 140 living in 30 worn-out wooden houses is only a stone's throw away from Kota Baru, Kelantan.

In spite of a decade-long surveillance by the authorities, hundreds of visitors have flocked there on long weekends after word spread by mouth about the larger-than-life structures and the close-knit villagers.

Che Minah could not be contacted.

Conspiracy allegations

On May 12, she submitted an appeal memorandum addressed to Bar Council human rights sub-committee chairperson Cecil Rajendra in Kuala Lumpur claiming harsh treatment by the authorities.

Villagers, she said, are convinced that the Besut religious council, land office and district office were colluding against them by using the grounds of deviant teachings and violation of land use conditions.

Claiming there is a conspiracy among the three agencies, she appealed for intervention in what she said was an attempt to deny the villagers their basic rights to profess and practice their chosen belief.

"We appeal for any form of assistance that the Bar Council can offer us villagers who are being pressured," wrote Che Minah, who initially inherited six hectares from her family in 1990.

"Hopefully with your help, a tragedy could be averted."

She said that since 1998 until now, 10 structures were built for the purposes of the villagers' belief, claiming that the blueprint for them came down from the Sky Kingdom.

Listing the 10 structures, she explained that some functioned as reception and gathering areas while others were symbols of religious unity and redemption.

"Ever since the structures were built, this place has (not only) attracted attention and visitors from different walks of life, race and religion but also a place for peace to them," she said in the letter that signed off with a thumb-print.

Inter-religious centre

A number of applications for land use conversion were also repeatedly rejected on grounds that the land was being used to spread deviant teachings, she added.

"Is this the only village in the whole of Malaysia that has violated land use conditions under Section 115 of the NLC? If not, why is similar action not taken against them?

"Is it wrong to uphold belief in unity and relevance of all religions without any exception?"

Che Minah blamed the district religious council's dissatisfaction over the different brand of religious belief they were practicing for the subsequent interference of other state agencies.

"We don't want these structures destroyed and for this place to be a center for inter-religious gathering without any hindrance."

Newspaper clippings in English and Bahasa Malaysia on Ayah Pin's activities and the government's response were also attached to the appeal letter.

Early this week, a similar memorandum was sent to the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia.

In 2001, she was given 14 days under Section 70(1) of the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 to demolish several illegal structures on her land listed as the main arch, an open hall, a structure housing a boat, houses and other buildings.

Another similar notice was issued in May 2001. No action has been taken to date.

She had also applied twice over the last five years to convert the land use from agriculture to building.

Her lawyer Haris Mohamed Ibrahim, contacted in Kuala Lumpur, declined to comment.

Still negotiable

Besut assistant land administrator Mohd Iskandar Abdul Aziz said Che Minah will be summoned to the land office to explain her refusal to comply with the 30-day notice.

"We will issue another notice, as provided under (the NLC) for non-compliance, and ask her for reasons," he said, adding that the process is quite negotiable.

"It's not as if we will behave in an uncivilised manner immediately following the expiry of the legal notice. We try to find out the reasons for refusing to comply with the order."

Asked if the neighbouring lots were facing similar violations, Iskandar said there was no information as such.

"As far as we know, the lots surrounding the one in question have not contravened any of the conditions for land use.

"But the moment we are informed about it, we will take the necessary action because everyone must follow the stipulated conditions."

On Che Minah's application for conversion of land use, he said it was made after notices were issued for violations.

"If anyone wants to apply to convert the use of land, the person must ensure that nothing is done on the land pending the approval," he said, adding that it was wrong to apply only after erecting buildings on it.

The legal notice will also not stop Ayah Pin from proceeding with a "mesra rakyat" event planned for the end of the month at the village where people from various background are expected to converge for the weekend.