JOHOR BARU: A 70-year-old former lecturer and a 48-year-old contractor have been charged at the Sessions Court here with possessing items related to the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group.
Abdullah Daud and Mohamad Awang nodded when the charges were read to them before Sessions Court judge Fatimah Zahari on Sunday (July 21).
Abdullah was slapped with four charges, while Mohamad only faces one charge and no plea was recorded from either as the case is under the High Court’s jurisdiction.
According to the charge sheets, Abdullah was found in possession of two digital books in the PDF format and two videos inside his phone linked to IS and terrorism-related activities.
He was also accused of possessing two books, encouraging acts of terrorism by promoting the violent ideology associated with IS, and allowing his house to be used as a facility to support terrorist acts.
Abdullah allegedly committed the offences between Sept 3 2023 and April 14 2024, and between June 23 and June 28 2024 at a Kampung Melayu Kangkar Pulai house in Johor Baru.
Meanwhile, Mohamad was found to be in possession of IS-related items on his phone and laptop, with the offence allegedly committed on June 23 2024 at a Taman Daya house in Johor Baru.
The charges were framed under Section 130JB(1)(a) of the Penal Code for the possession of materials in support of terrorist activities, which provides a jail sentence of up to seven years or fines and the seizure of properties used or intended to be used to commit the offence, upon conviction.
These charges are also framed under Section 130G(a) and Section 130H(a) of the Penal Code for inciting terrorism by spreading the violent ideologies of IS and providing facilities in support of terrorist acts.
The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Public Prosecutor Rullizah Abdul Majid and Lina Hanini Ismail, while the accused are unrepresented.
The court set Sept 18 for the case next mention.
