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Straits Times (Used by permission)
GHOSTS, spirits, jin and other supernatural beings are abundant at SMK Tanjung
Lumpur, claim dozens of bomoh as well as spiritual and faith healers who
have visited the school in Kuantan in the past weeks.
Some of the bomoh have even claimed that they have "communicated" with
the spirits who were responsible for bouts of hysteria at the school since May.
The so-called spirits, which are aplenty based on the names given by the
bomoh, have made several demands including a special feast before they leave
the school.
The spirits claimed that the construction of the school's new building had
encroached on their area and for that reason, almost every day, a group of
students would scream hysterically.
In most cases, the victims claimed that they saw an apparition with long hair,
while others claimed they were possessed by an old woman and would act and sound
like one.
The idea to strike a deal with the supernatural beings was
not favoured by religious figures, including state mufti Datuk Abdul Rahman
Osman.
Rahman said efforts to solve the problem should not involve the help of spirits
or jin.
A bomoh, 70, from Kota Baru said it was common for a bomoh to use
the service of a dampingan (assisting spirit) to communicate with other
supernatural beings or to treat a patient.
"Many people will not admit it but we have our khadam (servants) among
the spirits."
Such a technique will pose a problem, particularly when there are too many
bomoh involved.
He said: "I think this school is crowded with foreign spirits. Some of the
bomoh may have left them here to show their power."
Two "paranormals" from Bandung, Indonesia, shared a similar belief.
Rahmat Setiawan and Didi Ardi of Aura Syifa' organisation said: "We have
communicated with the residing spirits but they were not responsible for the
bouts of hysteria at this school."
Rahmat said only one or two of the students were possessed by the spirits while
the rest were responding due to a "herd instinct".
"Most of them become hysterical due to other factors, including examination
pressure and family problems.
"Some are reacting to the harsh treatment meted by bomoh during the
exorcism," said Rahmat, who prefers to be known as a "mind therapist".
For the record, only 35 of the 820 students at the school have been affected.
Rahmat said hysteria was prevalent among Malays as they had been exposed to
ghost stories since young.
"I was told that there are many ghost series shown on local television. We face
the same problem in Indonesia as there are many stories on kuntilanak and
jembalang being aired every day."
However, the victims' parents disagreed.
Mariah Mat Zain, 50, said: "I've seen my daughter turning her head more than 180
degrees. She could also overpower five men when possessed."
Mariah said her Form Two daughter was having hysteria although she had
transferred to another school.
"Don't tell me she is faking it. She's too young to do it."
Some of the victims, including Mariah's daughter, have sought treatment at the
hospitals and were certified normal.
Doctors said it was a difficult phenomenon to explain, especially if it involved
a Muslim.
"We have to consider how the family will feel if we say that there's no ghost or
whatsoever in their child's body.
"As a Muslim, I advise them to seek help from ustaz and pray for God's help,"
said a private medical practitioner.
Whether spirits exist or not, the students' future is at stake and there should
be a way to solve the problem.
A victim, seconds after regaining consciousness, said: "Please help us. I want
to be free of this problem."
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Circular No 297/2008
