KUALA LUMPUR: A former welder was sentenced to four years in jail today after being convicted of possessing materials linked to the Islamic State terrorist group.
High Court judge K. Muniandy ordered Muhammad Fesool Haron, 35, to serve the sentence from the date of his arrest on May 30 following his guilty plea.
On Dec 5, Fesool was charged with possessing one video, 10 other videos and five screenshots linked to IS, which were all found on his handphone about 1.10pm in the Kempas Industrial Area in Johor Baru on May 30.
The offence, under Section 130JB(1)(a) of the Penal Code, carries a maximum jail term of seven years or a fine and the forfeiture of the materials upon conviction.
According to a report, an expert who had analysed the materials found that they contained subversive elements that could spark hatred towards individuals, the government or leaders, potentially affecting the country's wellbeing and the democratic system.
The expert said the materials in Fesool's possession were from individuals that are deemed dangerous and could have been from a group of militants.
Deputy public prosecutor Mohammad Fakhrurrazi Ahmad Salim urged the court to mete out a heavy penalty as Fesool is a repeat offender.
"There is an application from the investigating officer to the court that shows that the accused has a prior conviction related to a terrorism offence for supporting IS. He was sentenced to five years by the High Court here on May 29, 2017.
"This time, his offence is linked to the possession of terrorism materials. I ask the court to consider that although the maximum jail sentence is seven years, his act can bring a huge impact to the country's security."
In mitigation, defence lawyer Kanmani Nookaiah pleaded for a light sentence as Fesool was repentant and promised not to repeat his mistake.
She said Fesool's wife was also arrested for a similar offence, leaving their two children, aged 17 and 13, in the care of their grandfather and other family members.
"He is remorseful and hopes the court can give him a chance to return to the right path and improve himself."
Earlier, the judge asked Fesool about his activities in prison. Fesool replied that while detained at the Simpang Renggam facility, he attended talks on Islamic religious practices.
"At Sungai Buloh Prison, I was placed in solitary confinement. I only left my cell once to visit the library for books.
"I plead for a lower sentence," said Fesool.
On Dec 5, Fesool's wife, Suhaini Sarwan, 46, pleaded guilty to three charges of possessing articles and items related to IS on her handphone and laptop before High Court judge Datuk Muhammad Jamil Hussin.
She committed the offences between 1.15pm and 4.30pm in Kota Tinggi and the Kempas Industrial Area, Johor Baru, on May 30.
She is scheduled for sentencing on Jan 9.
At the same court, Suhaini claimed trial to two other charges of supporting IS via Facebook using the accounts "Suhaini Sarwan" and "Enma Kenma".
The offences were allegedly committed on May 27 and detected by Bukit Aman's Special Branch Counter Terrorism Division at 5.50 pm the same day.
The charges, under Section 130J(1)(a) of the Penal Code, carry a maximum sentence of 40 years or a fine upon conviction.