Self-proclaimed Malaysian prophet arrested after 3 years on the run

Self-proclaimed Malaysian prophet caught

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Malaysian authorities captured a Muslim sect leader who claimed to be God’s prophet and was on the run for three years, an official said Thursday.

Abdul Kahar Ahmad was charged in 2006 in an Islamic law court with spreading false teaching, blasphemy and violating religious precepts, said Muhamad Nazri Basrawi, a prosecutor in the Islamic Religious Department in central Selangor state.

Abdul Kahar, 59, pleaded innocent to the charges and later went into hiding to evade trial, Nazri told The Associated Press.

His whereabouts remained unknown until authorities tracked him down at a house in Kajang town in Selangor, where he was captured Wednesday by Islamic religious police, Nazri said.

While in hiding, Abdul Kahar sent letters to the prime minister, the king and other authorities to urge them to affirm him as a prophet, claiming he was appointed by God under the same circumstances as Prophet Muhammad, Nazri said.

Malaysia, hailed as a model of moderate Islam, is wary of groups that preach radical views of Islam because of fears they could upset the country’s religious stability.

Nazri said Abdul Kahar also rejected the annual hajj pilgrimage as a ploy by Saudi Arabia to make money. He is believed to have more than 100 followers, Nazri said.

“Abdul Kahar is spreading false doctrines and appears to be insane,” Nazri said.

His trial has been set for Oct. 7. He faces up to 11 years in jail and six strokes of the cane if found guilty, Nazri said.