A Malaysian couple were beaten to death by family members in a bizarre ritual to cure them of a smoking habit and illnesses.

A 15-year-old daughter of one of the four relatives who carried out the beating was also attacked after stumbling onto the scene.

The unfortunate teenager is now fighting for her life in hospital.

Police spokesman Ku Chin Wah said that the strange attack took place when Mohamed Ibrahim Kader Mydin (47) and his wife Rosina Mydin Pillay (41) were on a visit to other family in the Muslim country.

They happened to mention that Mohamed Ibrahim was seeking help to stop his smoking habit, and that his wife was suffering from asthma and a liver ailment.

“Following this, a 23-year-old male relative suggested that the couple undergo a ritual,” Mr Ku explained.

“The ritual involved all the family members joining forces to beat up the couple in an effort to rid them of their ailments.”

The four relatives smashed the couple's heads on a table and assaulted them with crash helmets and brooms.

An ambulance was called hours later when they had not regained consciousness.

One of the four suspects, who are now in custody, was believed to belong to a ‘deviant’ cult.

Malaysia is a predominantly Islamic country and authorities periodically crack down on unauthorised sects.