(AFP) Two Malaysian bomohs, or traditional healers, and their assistant will go to the gallows for the grisly ritual murder of a local politician almost eight years ago, a tribunal decided today.

The Pardons Board in the central state of Pahang rejected appeals against execution from Maznah Ismail, popularly known as Mona Fandey, and Mohamed Affandi Abdul Rahman and their assistant Juraimi Hussin, Bernama news agency reported.

The murder of Mazlan Idris, a member of the state assembly, in July 1993 shocked the country.

His remains, dismembered into 18 pieces, were found buried behind a house occupied by Maznah, 45, Mohamed Affandi, 44, and Juraimi, 31, in Raub district.

After a trial that lasted several months they were sentenced to death by a high court in 1995. Two higher courts dismissed their appeals against conviction and sentence.

Head chopped off

Bernama said Juraimi had admitted chopping off Mazlan's head with an axe after receiving a signal from Mohamed Affandi. He then chopped up the body and the dismembered parts were buried under cement.

Mazlan had withdrawn RM300,000 from a bank in Kuala Lumpur on the day he was reported missing. He was killed in a ritual performed by the couple with the purported aim of bringing prosperity.

The "bomoh" couple gave Juraimi RM800 for the killing before departing for Kuala Lumpur, where they stayed at a five-star hotel for several days. They also bought a Mercedes and went on a shopping spree.