The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has shelved plans to visit the beleaguered Sky Kingdom commune in Kampung Batu 13 in Hulu Besut until further notice.

A team of Suhakam commissioners was supposed to visit the village near Jerteh in Besut, Terengganu, today but that was moved to Sunday.

However, that visit to the village where self-proclaimed spiritual leader Ayah Pin, or Ariffin Mohammad, lived has now been shelved indefinitely.

Contacted today, Suhakam complaints and inquiry working group chairperson Prof Hamdan Adnan said he has already forwarded to the commissioner the complaints filed by a group of Ayah Pin followers on Wednesday.

"We will be discussing the visit there at the next commission meeting. Furthermore, there is also the (syariah) court case on Aug 4," he said.

"We are trying to visit the place the earliest possible because we are also getting information that the followers are being threatened with detention if they continue to remain in the village."

In the meantime, he said, the authorities should treat the detainees properly according to law and human rights principles.

"Based on their allegations, there appears to be a problem of the victims being victimised again."

On Wednesday, Ayah Pin followers based in Kuala Lumpur filed complaints with Suhakam alleging a series of violations of their basic right to religious freedom, life, liberty and the rights of children.

Within three weeks

Several villagers contacted by malaysiakini in Hulu Besut today confirmed that the Terengganu religious affairs department (JHEAT) had threatened to lock them up if the village is raided again.

"The department head told the womenfolk at the syariah court yesterday to vacate the village within three weeks or risk being detained in prison again, and without bail.

"I heard him say that the raids will also be done on a regular basis from now on.

"But where are the people to go? This is their home," said Che Suhadi Jiman, who has been helping the villagers over the last few weeks following a crackdown by JHEAT.

"Yesterday, those on bail lodged police reports for self-protection before returning to the village because anything could happen. There was also no police road block after mid-morning."

Besut district JHEAT chief Azam Awi could not be reached for comment. Fridays and Saturdays are observed as public holidays in Terengganu.

Bail paid

Che Suhadi said about five state welfare department officials had also been visiting the village over the last one week.

"I saw them disbursing money and food to schoolgoing children as well as the younger ones.

"There were also several men in a car bearing the Malaysian Islamic Development Department logo who walked around taking photos of the giant structures."

Yesterday, he said, the total bail sum of RM54,000 was paid for by Ayah Pin followers who had pooled the money since the village was raided.

"But we need at least another RM50,000 for the remaining 18 as we are planning for another bail application when the case in heard on Aug 4."

According to him, followers who had returned to the village after posting bail are now living in fear, especially after the violent attack on July 18 which left many of the buildings torched and damaged.

Last week, Terengganu police chief Hussin Ismail had warned that such criminal acts or anything that violated the country's laws will not be condoned.