A MALAYSIAN Islamic court sentenced a Muslim sect leader to 10 years in prison and six lashes of a cane on Wednesday for spreading false teachings and claiming to be God's prophet.Abdul Kahar Ahmad, 59, pleaded guilty in an Islamic Syariah court last month to charges of spreading false doctrine, blasphemy and violating religious precepts.
He had been charged in 2006 but went into hiding for three years to evade trial before Islamic religious police tracked him down in central Selangor state last month.
Officials have accused Abdul Kahar of sending letters to the prime minister and other authorities to urge them to affirm him as a prophet, claiming he was appointed by God under the same circumstances as the Prophet Muhammad.
The Syariah court in Selangor decided Wednesday to jail Abdul Kahar for 10 years, said state prosecutor Muhamad Nazri Basrawi. He will also be caned six times and must pay a fine of RM16,500 (S$7,000), Mr Muhamad Nazri said.
Earlier this month in court, Abdul Kahar reportedly urged his supporters to forget his teachings and repent. Prosecutors say he is believed to have had more than 100 followers.