21-5-2024 (KUALA LUMPUR) The remains of the man who killed two policemen in Ulu Tiram, Johor, are to be buried away from other civilian graves as a sign of condemnation, Johor’s Islamic and religious affairs authority announced on May 20.
The attacker, whose identity has not been officially disclosed, was fatally shot by a third officer after he attacked two policemen at the Ulu Tiram police station on May 17.
According to a statement from Johor’s Islam and Religious Affairs Committee, funeral rites for the deceased, including cleaning, shrouding, and prayers, are to be conducted either at his home or the hospital where he was taken, rather than at a mosque.
This decision serves as a stern warning to the local community against engaging in similar acts and signifies disapproval of the man’s actions in killing law enforcement officers responsible for national security, the committee said.
The religious authority also urged the public not to sympathise with the man or his actions.
The committee’s decision was reached during a meeting on May 17, chaired by Johor’s mufti, Yahya Ahmad. The man’s grave is to be located approximately 300 metres away from other graves, as reported by local media. His father was a known member of the militant group Jemaah Islamiyah.
The attacker was buried at around 12:30 pm on May 20, in a restricted ceremony at Sungai Tiram Islamic Cemetery, with police officers securing the entrance.
Mohamed Som, the village chief of Kampung Sungai Tiram, confirmed that instructions were given to space the grave away from others. “We have prepared a grave site at the end of the cemetery,” he told Malaysian news portal Astro Awani.
The funeral was delayed as no family members or next-of-kin initially came forward to claim the body from the hospital.
The man reportedly resided in a secluded settlement of around ten houses under local authority surveillance.
In response to the incident, Singapore has strengthened its security measures, including increased checks at checkpoints. Singaporean citizens travelling to Malaysia have been advised to remain vigilant.
