Federal Court upholds death sentence of nine charged with Lahad Datu intrusion

PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court has upheld the death sentence against nine Filipino men charged with waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong during the 2013 Lahad Datu intrusion.

Chief Justice Tun Md Raus Sharif said the decision of the five-man panel, which he chaired, was unanimous.

Justice Md Raus said that they agreed with the Court of Appeal that the death sentence was the most appropriate sentence based on the findings of the facts of the case.

The other judges were Chief Judge of Malaya Justice Ahmad Maarop, Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Justice Richard Malanjun, and Justices Ramly Ali and Azahar Mohamed.

The nine men are Julham Rashid, 70; Virgilio Nemar Patulada @ Mohammad Alam Patulada, 53; Salib Akhmad Emali, 65; Tani Lahad Dahi, 64; Basad Manuel, 42; Datu Amirbahar Hushin Kiram, 54; Atik Hussin Abu Bakar, 46; Al Wazir Osman @ Abdul, 62; and Ismail Yasin, 77.

Basad Manuel is the son of the late self-proclaimed Sultan of Sulu Jamalul Kiram.

The panel also dismissed the prosecution's appeal against the acquittal of 14 men on the charge of waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and terrorist-related offences linked to the intrusion at Kampung Tanduo from Feb 12 to April 10, 2013.

Justice Md Raus said they have no reason to decide otherwise and affirmed the decision by the Court of Appeal delivered last June.

The 14 accused of terrorist-related offences are Masir Aidin, 23; Anwar Salib Akhmad, 34; Binhar Salib Akhmad, 32; Rijmal Salleh, 25; Rizman Gulan, 24; Basil Samiul, 38; Saidili Jaharul, 56; Kadir Uyung, 31; Lating Tiong, 21; Dani Ismail, 61; three Filipinos who possess Malaysian identity card Abdul Hadi Mawan, 53, Abdul Majil Jubin, 46, and Totoh Hismullah, 60; and finally Salib Akhmad Emali, 65.