Followers of self-styled religious mystic Ayah Pin in Hulu Besut are contemplating whether to relocate or remain at Kampung Batu 13 near Jerteh in the interior of Terengganu.

Their uncertainty has been generated by the demolition of giant replicas shaped like a teapot, umbrella and other unique structures that were the centrepiece of their commune until yesterday.

That was when about 100 Besut district land and local council officials, accompanied by uniformed and riot police, tore down the marble-and-tile buildings using heavy machinery that moved in about 2.30pm.

"Demolition work continued well past midnight," said a follower whose mother is facing a charge of violating a religious edict that has declared Ayah Pin a deviant and a threat to the public and Islam.

"Those with houses elsewhere have already left. Only those of us who have made our homes in this place are left," she said, declining to be named when contacted today.

"We haven't received any letter from the land office but we're not sure what the status is either."

She said the place was in ruins except for the grave of a hardcore Ayah Pin follower, Mohamed Ya, popularly known as Baba, who died in late 2003 after being jailed for violating a court order to attend a religious rehabilitation programme (photo)

"Only Baba's kubur (grave) has been left intact. They didn't touch it. But they destroyed the adjacent perahu (boat-like structure)."

'Nowhere to go'

Dubbed the Sky Kingdom, the tiny hamlet is situated 45 minutes from Kota Baru and two hours from the state capital of Kuala Terengganu.

It has grabbed media headlines in recent weeks following several raids by state religious officers and an incident of arson which police are still probing.

Several other followers said when contacted that structures that were still standing after yesterday's operations were pulled down today and that truckloads of debris had been transported out of the village.

Kak Pah, a follower in her 40s, said the villagers were not allowed out, while outsiders have been barred from entering the commune.

"I haven't even seen today's papers yet and we're scared to go and buy (what we need). What if we leave the village and the authorities do something while we're away?" she asked.

"It is difficult to make sense of all that is happening because we don't know who to trust."

She said she had no plans to leave the village as yet, because she has nowhere else to go.

"I leave it to God," she said, but conversation was abruptly cut off as the line went dead.

Police keeping watch

Another long-time follower known as Abang Man said if not for the police, there would have been photographs of the entire operation.

"We tried to take some photos but the police threatened to seize our cameras. They also didn't allow the press in but I think they somehow managed to take photos later in the evening," he said, citing a big police presence during the demolition.

He said four to five small and big lorries were used to move out the long wooden and concrete beams used to prop up the main hall and another structure that was under construction.

"As of yesterday, there was no indication that our houses will be demolished but we can't be sure of anything these days," he said.

He said the authorities were tearing down another half-built building near the site where Ayah Pin's house used to be, before it was torn down to make way for a new hall.

"They are doing whatever they like and without any compunction," he said, adding that the police had compiled a new list of those who remained in the village.

"There are only 10 families or about 50 adults and children left here."

Suddenly dropping his voice to a whisper, Abang Man said he had to excuse himself as he was being watched "very, very closely".

"All my movements are being monitored. Even now, they are looking at me. So sorry, but I really have to put the phone down... they (police) are already waiting at the door," he said before hanging up.

Since the July 18 attack, villagers have lodged numerous reports asking for police protection for themselves and their property.

Terengganu police chief Hussin Ismail said today investigations were still going on in relation to the pre-dawn attack on the commune but declined to elaborate.

Wives charged

In a related development, three of Ayah Pin's four wives were charged at the Besut lower syariah court for being involved in deviant teachings in violation of a 1997 state fatwa.

National news agency Bernama reported that no plea was recorded from Zaharah Awang, 45, Ruzilan Mokhtar, 41, and Nik Kamariah Nik Pa, 33.

The trio allegedly committed the offence under Section 10 of the Terengganu Syariah Criminal Offences (Takzir) Enactment 2001 at the commune on July 20 at 10.30am and if found guilty, face a maximum RM2,000 fine or three years in jail or both.

All three, arrested by Kelantan police in Tumpat yesterday, were released after posting bail of RM1,500 each today.

Judge Wan Abdul Malik Wan Sidek fixed the case for mention on Nov 22.

Ayah Pin and his first wife, Che Minah Remeli, 60, still being sought by the state religious authorities.