Terengganu police will not tolerate anyone who tries to take the law into their own hands regardless of their sentiments, its chief Hussin Ismail said today.

The stern public warning comes hot on the heels of investigations into Monday's mob attack on the commune of self-styled spiritual leader Ayah Pin in Kampung Batu 13 near Jerteh in Hulu Besut.

"We don't want people taking matters into their own hands. We have laws which must be respected and everyone is bound by that," he told malaysiakini when met in Kuala Terengganu yesterday.

"I'm very firm on this. I want people to know that the police are here to uphold the law and maintain public safety," he added.

He said three police reports were lodged following the attack and two suspects have been arrested since to assist in investigations.

"The first was arrested on the same day as the incident and released yesterday. The other was arrested today.

"We have identified who they (suspected perpetrators) are. They are locals," he added.

Hussin denied there was any connection between the pre-dawn attack and a subsequent street protest outside the commune later Monday morning participated by thousands from nearby villages.

"So far, no links have been established between the two. But we are still investigating and let me assure you that I will get to the bottom of this issue," he said.

Statewide alert

Terengganu Islamic Affairs Department (JHEAT) commissioner Sheikh Harun Ismail thas also ssued an official statewide alert on the hunt for Ayah Pin.

Responding to this, Hussin said Ayah Pin was believed to be holed up in the surrounding area.

This morning, the police, using tracker dogs, have been scouring the nearby jungle looking for him. They are confident of nabbing him soon.

On Wednesday, a raid party led by JHEAT with police reinforcement entered Ayah Pin's commune and arrested 58 of his followers who now face charges of violating a 1997 state fatwa declaring Ayah Pin's teachings as deviant and insulting Islam.

Hearing has been set for July 28.

Ayah Pin, 65, whose real name is Ariffin Mohammad evaded the law yet again, infuriating locals who blamed it on the authorities' lackadaisical attitude.

His successful escape from the law has set tongues wagging over the state's enforcement capabilities.

Political tussle

A minor commotion outside the Besut syariah court earlier yesterday afternoon revealed a little of the grassroots sentiments.

A 40-something woman was telling reporters about several political figures who allegedly masterminded the mob attack.

The woman, who wanted to be known as Yah, claimed she heard about a top-level conflict over the handling of the Ayah Pin issue.

"I was helping to serve some police personnel lunch yesterday when I heard about the (alleged) conflict between the internal security minister and local political leaders in Besut.

"The minister apparently didn't sanction police action without first getting any evidence while the latter wanted immediate action as it affected his constituency," she recalled when approached later.

"I also gathered from the conversation that the first suspect arrested the same day was a former PAS member who was now with Umno but I'm not sure from where."

She said Umno Youth and affiliated groups were also suspected of being involved in the attack on the village.

The parties concerned could not be reached for immediate comments.

When more journalists started crowding around her and recording her statements, JHEAT officers ticked her off publicly for "giving a press statement".

One even remarked that her statements were going to cause them bigger headaches.

Yah surmised that the officers were upset because the department's image will be tarnished by what she knows.

"They know that they have not been acting as what everyone expects them to do. This is a serious matter where swift action must be taken but that has not been the case here."

"I came here with regards to some other business. I have nothing to do with Ayah Pin and I'm not his follower. I have no reason to cook up such a story."

She said she "was merely responding to reporters' queries" by sharing what she had learnt from the police and denied having a vested interest in the matter.

Stop harassing them

Meanwhile, the US-based Human Rights Watch said the government should not harass Ayah Pin's followers but prosecute those who had attacked them.

It also said that the government should respect the right of members of the Sky Kingdom to practice their beliefs.

"The right to practice one's religious beliefs freely is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights," said Sam Zarifi, deputy director of Human Rights Watch's Asia Division in a statement.

"This right applies equally to members of unorthodox groups, not just adherents of the major religions.

"It's the government's responsibility to protect members of the Sky Kingdom from armed mob. Instead of harassing people who are peacefully following their beliefs, the police should be prosecuting those who attacked them," he said.