The Kuantan High Court today postponed the murder case involving religious cult ‘Tuhan Harun’ leader Harun Mat Saat and his followers to April 21.

Harun and his followers allegedly murdered Pahang Islamic Religious Department (Jaip) principal assistant director Ahmad Raffli Abd Malek at the victim's house at Lorong IM2/29 Bandar Indera Mahkota in Kuantan on Nov 10, 2013.

Justice Ab Karim Ab Rahman made the postponement after counsel Hermes Media Putra Ibrahim applied for Harun to be released on bail, on grounds that the accused who had suffered a stroke, required medical treatment at the hospital.

Deputy public prosecutor Kalmizah Salleh had objected to the application, saying the doctor at the prison’s medical unit was capable of treating the accused, and that the latter might possibly abscond if released.

Justice Ab Karim set Thursday for his decision on the application.

Harun, 48, his wife, Azida Mohd Zol, 30, and two followers, Shaizral Eddie Nizam Shaari, 37, and Jefferi Safar, 37, were initially charged with criminal conspiracy to do away with Ahmad Raffli.

Another two of his followers, Shamsinar Abd Halim and Sumustapha Suradi, 40, were also jointly charged with another accomplice still at large, with murdering  Ahmad Raffli at the same place and time.

They face the mandatory death sentence under Section 302 of the Penal Code, punishable under Section 120(B) and read with section 34 of the same Code, if convicted.

Wheelchair-bound Harun was present in court today with the other accused.

- Bernama