KOTA BARU: Cult leader Ariffin Mohamad or “Ayah Pin“, now hiding in Narathiwat, southern Thailand, has not entered Malaysia for at least five months and is suffering from chronic diabetes.
Ariffin, on the run from the Malaysian authorities since an attack on his commune in Terengganu last year, used to commute frequently between here and Chamerong, near Takbai, where he now resides.
Sources said the 66-year-old is believed to be unwell as he had not made the journey across the border since the end of last year.
“He is now living with his close friends but his first wife (Che Minah Ramli, 59) has been crossing regularly to look after him,” said the sources, adding Ariffin would normally slip into the country quietly through any of the many illegal jetties in Tumpat, escorted by two men, including a son in his 30s.
“However, most of the time he would not stay long because he is afraid of being arrested,” said the sources.