MH370 crash: Govt didn't hire bomoh, says Jamil Khir

KUALA LUMPUR: The government did not hire or direct any party to use the services of a 'bomoh' (Malay medicine man) to find the missing Malaysia Airlines MH370 aircraft.

Minister in Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom also denied that the government had hired bomoh Ibrahim Mat Zin to locate the plane.

"The airport is a public space (anyone can go there). We don't know who hired him and it's not our business to ask him (Ibrahim)," he said while winding up the debate on the Royal address at the Dewan Rakyat here on Thursday.

On March 10, Ibrahim, who calls himself 'Raja Bomoh' (Bomoh King) conducted a ceremony at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport to 'find' the MH370 aircraft, which was reported missing on March 8.

His effort was condemned by numerous quarters and vociferously criticised on social media sites as it was deemed to have flouted Islamic teachings and embarrassed the nation.

Jamil Khir said the government also condemned the efforts of certain quarters who recruited the bomoh as it violated Islamic teachings.

He said the Department of Islamic Religious Development and state religious authorities would monitor KLIA to prevent such incidents.

 "Legal action can be taken against any party involved in activities which contravene Islamic teachings," he added.

Jamil Khir also said an investigation paper had been opened by the Selangor Islamic Religious Council to investigate claims that the bomoh was connected to several leaders who purportedly asked him to conduct the ceremony at the airport.  – Bernama