News

Friday January 11, 2013

End of days for sect head

By R.S.N. MURALI
murali@thestar.com.my


JASIN: The 46-year-old leader of the deviant sect currently being detained by police here was among those who had believed that the world would end on Dec 21 last year.

Malacca police chief Senior Asst Comm Datuk Chuah Ghee Lye said the large cache of weapons that police uncovered in the man's bungalow on Saturday had been in preparation for a supposed doomsday.

“However, when the world continued to exist beyond Dec 21, 2012, followers began to have doubts about the man and some left the group,” he said at a press conference at the Jasin police headquarters here yesterday.

SAC Chuah said the man from Muar, Johor, had admitted to being the founder of the Panji Langit sect.

He had been living in the bungalow at Kampung Chabau with his family. While there were weapons ranging from swords to bows and arrows, keris and explosives, SAC Chuah said preliminary investigations had not found any link to militant movements.

He said police were now tracking 30 of the group's followers to assist in the investigations.

Weapons galore: SAC Chuah (second from left) showing one of the weapons seized from the sect leader’s bungalow during the press conference at the Jasin police headquarters. Weapons galore: SAC Chuah (second from left) showing one of the weapons seized from the sect leader’s bungalow during the press conference at the Jasin police headquarters.

“Some of the ardent followers have abandoned their leader following the police crackdown,” he said.

SAC Chuah said the 46-year-old man would be under remand until tomorrow and was being investigated for various charges, involving weapons, fake guns and army gadgets and fatigues.

Police are also looking into a large quantity of petroleum products being stored at the home, in addition to the cache of weapons.

Related Story:
Expert: People fall for cults because they appear to be exciting

  • E-mail this story
  • Print this story
  • Bookmark and Share