Graphic designer jailed for having IS-linked items

KUALA LUMPUR: A graphic designer was jailed for 40 months by a High Court for possessing Islamic State-related items and counterfeit money.

After Muhammad Saiful Hashim, 35, pleaded guilty to the charges, Judicial Commissioner Ab Karim Ab Rahman said a fine would not be sufficient.

“The court sees this as a serious offence. Only a prison sentence is suitable,” he remarked.

The judge said although Saiful might have had no intention of being directly involved with the terror group, he might one day think of joining them.

Saiful was charged under Section 130JB(1)(a) of the Penal Code for having a sticker with an IS logo and a photograph with weapons and an IS flag.

For having six counterfeit RM10 notes, he was charged under Section 489C.

He was found with the items at a house in Kangar on March 22.

Ab Karim ordered the sentences to run concurrently from the date of arrest.

Defence counsel Adi Zulkarnain Zulkafli pleaded for a minimum sentence and said Saiful only planned to use the logo’s design.

He said his client had no intention to join any terror group and that the pictures were for his personal use.