JOHOR BAHRU - The Johor State Fatwa committee has decided that the burial site of the suspect who attacked the Ulu Tiram Police Station on Friday must be distanced from other graves.
According to a statement issued, the burial procedure for the suspect in this tragedy was discussed in a special meeting of the Johor State Fatwa committee chaired by the Johor Mufti, Datuk Yahya Ahmad, last Friday.
This statement also serves as an educational piece on the management and burial of such remains.
"As for the handling of the suspect's body, the Fatwa committee has decided that the body should be washed, shrouded, and prayed over at the hospital or at the suspect's family home only.
"The suspect's body is not allowed to be taken to any mosque or surau for related matters.
"After the body has been washed, shrouded, and prayed, it must be buried in the designated cemetery, and its grave must be slightly distanced from other graves," the statement read.
The Johor State Fatwa committee believed that distancing the suspect's grave from other graves serves as a reminder to the community not to engage in or commit acts similar to those done by the suspect.
"It also serves as an expression of abhorrence towards the suspect’s actions, especially for killing officers who were protecting national security and had done no wrong to the suspect.
"The Fatwa committee urges the public not to be involved with or sympathise with the suspect for what he has done," the statement added.
In the attack that occurred at 2.54am last Friday, three people were reported dead: two police officers and the 21-year-old suspect, while another police officer was injured.
The deceased police officers were Constable Ahmad Azza Fahmi Azhar, 22 and Constable Muhamad Syafiq Ahmad Said, 24.
Meanwhile, Corporal Mohd Hasif Roslan, who was reported seriously injured, is now stable and still being treated at Sultan Ismail Hospital (HSI) here.
The suspect's body was reported to have been buried at 12.15pm on Monday at the Sungai Tiram Islamic Cemetery, Ulu Tiram.
The burial ceremony was tightly guarded by police, and all parties, including the media, were not allowed to enter the cemetery area, with the main gate closed and monitored by police officers.