Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Deviant cult leader, Ayah Pin is defiant because he knows the punishments that can be meted out to him are light, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Dr Abdullah Md Zin said.
"We have enough legal provisions to charge him but the problem is that the punishments that can be handed down are light and he has the financial resources to pay any fines," he told reporters after opening an exhibition to select the best pavilion design for the Quran recital competition here Friday.
Dr Abdullah said attempts had been made by the Terengganu government to demolish the structures at the cult's community known as the "Sky Kingdom" in Besut, including a replica of a giant tea pot and a well purported to contain "zam zam" (holy) water but had been hampered by Ayah Pin's followers taking injunctions in the courts to stall their destruction.
"Besides the slow process of the law, Ayah Pin is also willing to hire a team of lawyers to fight his case as he has the financial means to pay," he said.
He said Ayah Pin could find followers as some Muslims in the country were ignorant and could be easily misled.
"The truth is, Ayah Pin is just an ordinary human being, there is nothing great about him but he is clever in influencing his followers," he said.
Dr Abdullah said most of those who were misled by his teachings faced many problems and were trying to find peace.
He said he had once met a graduate from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia who was willing to live in the "Sky Kingdom" as the student claimed he had never found such peace outside.
"Of course the place is peaceful, it is located in an isolated place unlike Kuala Lumpur. I have seen for myself the natural surroundings there," he said.
He reiterated that the government did not plan on using the Internal Security Act against Ayah Pin as his actions had yet to threaten national security.