Yohan Kur Niawan, of Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, said he was able to detect the spirits lingering in 10 people who were the subject of his research, which got the support from Fundamental Research Grant Scheme.

FRGS is a scheme to help researchers in the fields of pure and applied sciences, engineering, technology, health and social sciences, arts and humanities and national heritage.

He told Berita Harian recently that the 10 respondents of his study were people who were “possessed” and part of “saka”, an old Malay belief that the existence of supernatural creatures in one’s body could be inherited from family members.

Yohan said the machine, which he bought for RM15,000 from the United States, measures the electrical movements in a person.

He claimed that such movements were detected when respondents undergo “Islamic exorcism” where Quranic verses were read to them.

Yohan said the research will take two years to conclude and has a 80-90% accuracy.

“It is hoped that this research will contribute towards treatment using alternative medicine on patients who suffer from mysterious illnesses,” he said, adding that he wanted to disprove the notion that the supernatural was a figment of one’s imagination.

Yohan’s array of research studies include the use of music and jamu (traditional medicine) to reduce stress, and a study on why undergraduates shied away from asking questions in class.

Some titles of his past studies as listed by his university are “The Effect of Lemon, Canaga & Spoiled Egg; The Blintz Lamp, and Hearing Al’Quran to Make A Driver Always Awake While Driving On Fatigue Condition”, “The Effect of Kolintang Instrumental Music to Make Driver” [sic] and “The University Transexual Student: Causes, Private Living and Environment Act” [sic].