Kuala Terengganu: The leader of the “wolf pack” group, which had planned to attack four high-profile individuals and places of worship during the first week of Ramadan, was brought to the Sessions Court here today, Berita Harian reports.
Mahadi Mamat, a 34-year-old construction worker from Kuala Berang, was slapped with eight charges. He nodded as the charges were read before Judge Wan Azimah Yaacob.
According to the first charge under Section 130 J (1) (B) of the Penal Code (Act 574), the accused was alleged to have sought support for a terrorist act by making threats to attack the Sri Maha Mariamman Seafield Temple in Persiaran Kewajipan, USJ 25, Subang Jaya, Selangor, through WhatsApp group “Sejati Sejiwa”.
Mahadi, who is married, had allegedly committed the offence at a house in Kampung Teris, Hulu Terengganu, between 9.48pm on Jan 7 and 5.45pm on May 5.
In addition, the accused also faces another similar charge for allegedly seeking support for a terrorist act by threatening to assassinate four Malaysian citizens via the “Sejati Sejiwa” WhatsApp group at the same location, time and date.
The accused was also charged under Section 130F (A) of the same Act (Act 574) and Section 130F (B) of the Penal Code (Act 574) by agreeing and knowing that firearms training was being provided to members of the WhatsApp group “Sejati Sejiwa”, and giving orders to the group members to launch a terrorist act at the same location, time and date.
The accused also faces two more charges under Section 130JD (1) of the Penal Code (Act 574) with the intention to commit a terrorist act and obtain six pipe bombs for the same purpose at Kampung Teris, Hulu Terengganu, at 6.03pm on May 4.
The accused had also obtained a semi-automatic CZ 75 B pistol and 15 Luger 9mm bullets to carry out a terrorist act at Kampung Teris, Hulu Terengganu, at 4.32pm on May 5.
In addition, the accused was also slapped with two more charges under Section 130E of the Penal Code (Act 574) for recruiting several others to join the “Sejati Sejiwa” group and Section 130JB (1) (A) of the Penal Code (Act 574), for having in his possession items that have links with the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group, through an Alcatel mobile phone at Kampung Teris, Hulu Terengganu, at 5.45pm on May 5.
However, no plea was recorded and the court has fixed July 9 for mention of the case. No bail was posted.
Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Izhanudin Alias prosecuted while the accused was unrepresented.
Earlier, BH had reported that four men, including a local citizen, were arrested on suspicion of planning an attack on places of worship and several high-profile individuals in the country.
It was believed that the attack was aimed at avenging the death of firefighter Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim, during a riot at the Sri Maha Mariaman Seafield Temple last year.
Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Abdul Hamid Bador confirmed that all suspects were linked with IS and had been detained by the Special Branch Counter-Terrorism Division team in four raids between May 5 and 7 in Terengganu and the Klang Valley.