SEREMBAN: A Singaporean man has pleaded not guilty at the Syariah High Court here to two counts of teaching false doctrines, including claims of being a prophet and possessing holy spirits.
Idris Ami, 60, who is unrepresented, entered his plea before Judge Zulfikri Yasoa’.
The charges allege that Idris, a forklift driver, taught false doctrines to two men, aged 42 and 46 years old, claiming to be the messenger for this era at a house in Kuala Pilah around 11pm between Oct 6 and 8, 2023.
On the second count, he is accused of teaching the same individuals false doctrines by claiming to possess the holy spirits, specifically the spirits from Prophet Adam to Prophet Muhammad, at the same time and location.
The charges fall under Section 52 of the Syariah Criminal (Negri Sembilan) (Amendment) Enactment 2019, which carries a fine of up to RM5,000, a maximum prison term of three years, or both.
Judge Zulfikri set bail at RM8,000 for both charges with four sureties who must be residents of Negeri Sembilan. Idris is prohibited from leaving Malaysia until further notice and is required to report to the state’s chief religious officer monthly.
The trial is scheduled for Nov 19.
In a related development, Judge Zulfikri released a 42-year-old local woman, believed to be the accused’s right-hand person, on a bail bond of RM4,000 with one surety.
Ahmad Zaki Hamzah, head of the Negri Sembilan Islamic Religious Affairs Department’s Enforcement Division Operations Unit, reported that both individuals were arrested in Muadzam Shah, Pahang while en route to Terengganu.
“We have been investigating the Cahaya teaching, believed to have been propagated for over a year in Kuala Pilah, and some followers have already left the doctrine,” he said.
Ahmad Zaki noted that the teachings were spread in groups and also via social media to influence followers. – Bernama
