Kuala Lumpur, Oct 22 : A Syariah High Court has sentenced Abdul Kahar Ahmad, self-proclaimed Malay prophet, to 10 years’ in jail and six strokes of the rotan for five charges in connection with deviationist teachings.

The court has also fined him RM16,500 after ruling that the defence plea to consider his age and his guilty plea could not be viewed as mitigating factors.

“Given his mature age, he should have known his actions were a threat to society, religion and the country,” The New Straits Times quoted Judge Abu Zaky Muhammad, as saying.

“The accused was of sound mind when he committed the offences. The defence failed to prove that he is truly repentant,” he added.

Earlier, Kahar had pleaded guilty to proclaiming himself as a Malay prophet, conducting deviationist teachings, violating the Selangor mufti''s order by preaching "Kahar Ahmad teachings", blasphemy and spreading false beliefs.

The court has also directed Kahar to serve the last six months of his jail term at the Pusat Pemurnian Akidah Baitul Iman, a religious rehabilitation centre in Hulu Yam Baru, Selangor. (ANI)