KUANTAN: Two followers of the Tuhan Harun sect have been sentenced to death by hanging for the murder of a Pahang Islamic Religious Department (JAIP) officer three years ago.

Sumustapha Suradi, 41, and Shamsinar Abdul Halim, 39, were found guilty of shooting to death JAIP assistant enforcement chief Ahmad Raffli Abd Malek outside his house in Bandar Indera Mahkota here on Nov 10, 2013.

Judicial commissioner Datuk Ab Karim Ab Rahman said although the motive of the duo was unclear, they were identified as the perpetrators based on the testimonies of the victim's wife and son.

Ab Karim, however, acquitted three others, Azida Mohd Zol, 33, Shaizral Eddie Nizam Shaari, 40, and Jefferi Safar, 39, of conspiring in the murder plot.

He said there was reasonable doubt in the prosecution's case that the three were involved after hearing from a Tuhan Harun follower-turned-witness, identified only as Arab.

Ab Karim said Arab had testified that the order to make a JAIP officer "vanish" had come from Tuhan Harun leader Harun Mat Saat.

"But Arab kept saying that Harun's order was based on his own understanding.

"Arab also could not remember much of what had transpired during his meeting with Harun," he said.

He added that Azida, who was Harun's wife, had testified that Harun had difficulty communicating after a stroke.

"Therefore, the court found that it was not clear that Harun had issued the order. What is clear is that it was only Arab who uttered those words.

"Arab was not an accomplice but he was the one who planned everything that caused the death of Ahmad Raffli.

"Azida, Eddie and Jefferi were not partners in crime with Harun," said Ab Karim.

He also drew attention to the prosecution's failure to show evidence of the messaging exchanges that took place between the alleged conspirators.

Harun, who died on Aug 16 from health complications following a stroke in 2013, has since been discharged after an application from his lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad.

Ahmad Raffli, 49, was shot dead in front of his house on Nov 10, 2013 after he approached his gate to speak to a man who had called out to him.

Another man got out of a waiting car and fired three shots, killing Ahmad Raffli.

After going into hiding, Harun, his wife and another follower were arrested in Tangkak on Nov 20, 2013.

Shamsinar, 37, and two other suspects were arrested in Papar, Sabah, on Feb 22.

He and Sumustapha, 39, were charged with the murder of Ahmad Rafli on Nov 10.