KUANTAN: The High Court here today dismissed an application by the leader of the “Tuhan Harun” religious cult, Harun Mat Saat, who is charged with the murder of Pahang Islamic Religious Department (Jaip) principal assistant director Ahmad Raffli Abd Malek, to be released on bail.  

Judge Ab Karim Ab Rahman dismissed the application on grounds that the excuse given by Harun, to seek treatment at a hospital, was not a specific requirement.  

“Bail is only given for special, extraordinary or specific cases. In this case, the court does not see a requirement for the accused to obtain bail,” he added.  

He also said the case facing the accused was a serious one and the court should place public interest above his interest.  

“This is because during the period of detention, the accused had received appropriate treatment from specialist doctors,” he added.  

Earlier, Harun’s lawyer, Hermes Media Putra, applied to the court for his client to be released on bail to enable him to seek treatment at a hospital for stroke.  

However, deputy public prosecutor Kalmizah Salleh objected to the application, saying that medical unit at the prison had medical officers to attend to Harun.  

She also feared the possibility of Harun fleeing should he be released.  

Harun, his wife Azida Mohd Zol, 30, and two followers, Shaizral Eddie Nizam Shaari, 37, and Jefferi Safar, 37, are charged with criminal conspiracy which led to Ahmad Raffli’s murder.  

They face the mandatory death sentence, if found guilty.  

The court then set April 21 to hear the murder case.