Mystery surrounds the decision not to arrest the mysterious spiritual leader Ayah Pin, who reportedly returned home recently after going into exile following accusations of deviancy.

ayah pin inter-faith 260105 the man Earlier today, Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan claimed that the Terengganu Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JHEAT) had asked the police not to arrest the Sky Kingdom cult leader.

However, the department has denied this.

Contacted by Malaysiakini , JHEAT deputy enforcement director Mohamad Nor Mohamad said the department never discussed anything about not arresting Ayah Pin

He also said that the department is not aware of any media reports on this issue and added that the department is still investigating Ayah Pin and gathering evidence.

JHEAT commissioner Shaikh Harun Shaikh Ismail could not be contacted for comment.

Police chief's version

According to Musa's version, Ayah Pin, 68, whose real name is Ariffin Mohammad, had returned to Terengganu recently after supposedly going into exile in southern Thailand three years ago.

musa hassan "Police had information that Ayah Pin who is believed to have been living in southern Thailand, had come home.

"When the matter was referred to JHEAT, the department said there was no need to arrest him,” he was quoted as saying by Bernama.

Following this, he said, the Terengganu police have been instructed to get further explanation from the department on the reasons why it felt Ayah Pin should not be arrested.

The police chief said the coordination between the department and the police should be enhanced to avoid weakness in enforcement so as not to give the impression that the two departments are not doing their work.

ayah pin inter-faith 260105 aides Ayah Pin was the leader of the 150-member Sky Kingdom commune known for its cluster of giant structures located near Jerteh in Terengganu.

The self-styled spiritual leader claims to be the reincarnation of holy figures of all major religions and has preached the universality of religion since the early 1980s.

However, Islamic authorities issued a fatwa (decree) in 1997 declaring the teachings as deviant. In 2005, the authorities raided the 'tea pot' commune and the structures in the area were torn down.

A number of his followers were also charged in the Syariah Court.

Previous report

Lo and behold! The Sky Kingdom