KUALA LUMPUR: An Indonesian cried in the High Court today after being sentenced to 42 months’ jail for possessing pictures related to the militant group Islamic State (IS) last year.
Tonny Indra Prayitna, clad in a green shirt, could not hold back his tears while pleading for leniency when Judge Datuk Mohd Sofian Abd Razak meted out the sentence after he pleaded guilty to the offence.
The father of four told the court that he was a sole breadwinner of his family and was remorseful about the offence.
“I came to Malaysia 18 years ago to start my handicraft business in Penang before coming to Kuala Lumpur as a night market trader.
“My wife and my mother were forced to work after I was arrested six months ago.
“I was not aware that keeping the pictures (IS related) is a crime,” he said in between sobs.
Sofian, in his judgment, said ignorance of the law was not an excuse for him to commit the crime.
“You allowed yourself to be exposed with terror acts by keeping pictures related to IS,” he said.
Tonny was charged with possessing 32 pictures related to the IS in his Levono mobile phone at house 2-1-20, Jalan Cecawi 6/19, Gugusan Tanjung, 47810 Petaling Jaya at 11.45am on Aug 25 last year.
The offence falls under Section 130JB(1)(a) of the Penal Code which carries maximum jail term of seven years, or fine, and forfeiture of property used or intended to be used in connection with the commission of the offence.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Azlina Rasdi prosecuted while the accused was unrepresented.
Meanwhile, a 34-year-old technician claimed trial at the same court to supporting and possessing items related to the IS in May last year.
Mohd Fairul Azhar Jaafar was charged with supporting the IS and possessing items related to the IS in his thumb drive at Pejabat Sumber Manusia ICHOR System Malaysia Sdn Bhd, No 6, Jalan Anggerik Mokara 31/63, Kota Kemuning, near Shah Alam about 1.15pm on May 25.
He was represented by counsel Mohd Hezri Shaharil.
The court fixed July 23, 24, and 25 for trial.