KUALA LUMPUR: The two policemen who died in the Ulu Tiram police station attack last Friday are considered martyrs as they died while protecting the safety and interests of the nation, says Johor State Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman.
In a statement, Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid said the decision was made following the Special Meeting of the Fatwa Committee held on May 17, chaired by the Johor Mufti Datuk Yahya Ahmad.
"The Fatwa Committee classifies the death of the police personnel as 'Fi Sabilillah', meaning death in the way of Allah, as they died while protecting the safety and interests of the nation.
"The Fatwa Committee also decided that the deceased police personnel are to be regarded as 'syahid akhirat'."
As such, the burial of the slain policemen should be conducted by completing the four obligatory funeral rites- bathing, shrouding, praying, and burial.
For the suspect's body, the statement said, the Fatwa Committee has decided that the body should also be bathed, shrouded, and prayed over at the hospital or the suspect's family home only.
"The suspect's body is not permitted to be brought to any mosque or surau for related matters.
"After bathing, shrouding, and praying for the body, it should be buried in the designated cemetery, with the grave positioned a bit further from the other graves.
"The Fatwa Committee believes this serves as a reminder to the community to avoid involvement in actions similar to those of the suspect."
This also signifies a clear disapproval of the suspect's actions, especially the killing of the policemen who were protecting the nation's security without any wrongdoing against the suspect.
"The Fatwa Committee urges the public not to sympathise with the suspect for his actions.
"The committee also seeks cooperation and assistance from the security forces, especially the police, to place personnel throughout the management of the suspect's body until the burial is completed to prevent any disturbances or provocations from any parties," said Yahya.
In the 2.54 am incident, two policemen, Constable Ahmad Azza Fahmi Azhar, 22, and Muhamad Syafiq Ahmad Said, 24, were killed by a 'lone wolf' attacker, aged 21. The suspect was later shot and killed at the scene.
Another policeman, Corporal Mohd Hasif Roslan, was seriously injured, but is now stable and receiving treatment at the Sultan Ismail Hospital.