Mystic who hunted for MH370 to contest poll
AMalaysian shaman who drew widespread ridicule by trying to locate flight MH370 using coconuts and a “magic” carpet announced yesterday he will run in elections next month.
Ebrahim Mat Zin — known by his nickname ‘Raja Bomoh’, which translates as ‘King of Shamans’ — will contest a parliamentary seat in northern Perak state as an independent candidate.
After Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 disappeared in 2014 with 239 people aboard, Ebrahim launched a bizarre attempt to find the jet at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, from where it had set out.
‘Magic carpet’
He conducted a series of rituals, one involving bamboo binoculars and another using two coconuts and what he described as a magic carpet, which he claimed could weaken the “spirits” that were holding the missing plane.
Despite his best efforts — and a major multinational search in the Indian Ocean, that was the most expensive in aviation history — the Boeing jet remains missing.
Announcing his candidacy in the city of Ipoh, the 68-year-old recounted how he “just held up two coconuts and became an instant global star.
“I am contesting for the sake of the people. I will help the people with financial support from my salary if I win.”
But he is likely to find as little success in politics as he did in his ill-fated hunt for MH370 — he is running against Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi, one of the most powerful figures in government.