Raja Bomoh summoned by Malaysia police over complaints he's tarnished Islam's image

Self-styled Raja Bomoh Ibrahim Mat Zin shows how he prayed for Malaysia's protection against North Korea, holding up two fingers to bless both nations. ST PHOTO: SHANNON TEOH

MALACCA (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Ibrahim Mat Zin, popularly known as "Raja Bomoh Sedunia," will be summoned to give a statement after police reports were lodged against him for allegedly tarnishing Islam's image, said Malaysia's Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar on Sunday (March 19).

Khalid said police will summon Ibrahim under Section 111 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC), and would track him down if he does not comply.

The controversial shaman recently made headlines when he resurfaced to conduct his signature rituals to ostensibly "protect" Malaysia from North Korea, as diplomatic ties between the two countries soured over the Kim Jong Nam murder at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2) on Feb 13.

"His (Ibrahim's) act has brought shame to the country and is against the tenet of Islam," Khalid said on Sunday after launching a donation drive for retired policemen in conjunction with the 210th Police Day celebration at Taming Sari.

Ibrahim first came to fame when he conducted similar rituals after Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 disappeared in 2014.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said that the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) and the police have been looking for Ibrahim since March 13.

On March 17, Federal Territories mufti Zulkifli Mohamad al-Bakri condemned the self-styled "Bomoh King of the World" for allegedly practising animistic rituals that are forbidden in Islam, saying he must be stopped.

Ibrahim was also lambasted by Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, while Perak deputy mufti Zamri Hashim announced that the state had issued a fatwa declaring Ibrahim's ritual as forbidden.

The bomoh claimed in an interview with The Sunday Times that he has been protecting Malaysia from harm for seven decades.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.