Two charged with supporting IS

Facing the law: Muhammad Zul Khairi arriving at the Sessions Court in Butterworth. — Bernama

BUTTERWORTH: A food trader in Penang and a jobless woman in Selangor have been charged at the Sessions Court with possessing items related to the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group.

In the first case, Muhammad Zul Khairi Mohamad Nasir, 33, nodded when the charge was read out to him before judge Noor Aini Yusof here yesterday.

No plea was recorded as the case is under the High Court’s jurisdiction.

According to the charge sheet, Muhammad Zul Khairi was found in possession of items related to IS and terrorism-related activities on his smartphone.

He allegedly committed the offences at 1521, Sungai Dua, Butterworth, at 9.35am on June 23.

The charge is framed under Section 130JB(1)(a) of the Penal Code for the possession of materials in support of terrorist activities.

The charge is punishable under Section 130JB(1) of the same Code, which provides for a jail sentence of up to seven years or a fine, as well as the seizure of properties used or intended to be used to commit the offence upon conviction.

The case was prosecuted by deputy public prosecutor Syafinas Shabudin, while the accused was unrepresented.

The court then allowed the case to be transferred to the Kuala Lumpur High Court and set Aug 19 for the next mention.

In PETALING JAYA, unemployed Fauziahanim Abdullah was charged at the Sessions Court with two charges of possessing IS material and supporting the group last month.

According to Bernama, the 57-year-old nodded after the charges were read out to her before judge Dr Syahliza Warnoh yesterday.

No plea was recorded.

She is accused of possessing the IS-related material on her mobile phone and a USB flash drive at a condominium unit in Persiaran Kinrara, Section 3, Puchong, at 9.02am on June 23.

She faces another charge of supporting the IS group through the Instagram account “Aurora Millisaa@Hanee_bear_” at the E8 Counter Terrorism Division, Special Branch, Bukit Aman police headquarters, at 9.15am on June 28.

This charge is framed under Section 130J(1)(a) of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum imprisonment of 40 years or a fine and mandates the forfeiture of any such material upon conviction.

The court set Sept 20 for the next case mention.

DPP Rullizah Abdul Majid appeared for the prosecution while the accused was unrepresented.