I.S. SUPPORTER CRIES IN COURT
22-year-old factory worker gets eight years for offences
AFACTORY worker burst into tears in the High Court here when pleading for leniency after he was found guilty of supporting and possessing terrorrelated materials last year.
Wan Mohamad Nur Firdaus Abd Wahab, 22, said he intended to further his studies if he was granted the minimum sentence.
“I did not know that Islamic State (IS) is a terror group as I am very ignorant about militant activity.
“I work 12 hours a day and get only one day off a month. My family is optimistic about my future.”
Wan Nur Firdaus started to tear up when Judicial Commissioner Datuk Ab Karim Ab Rahman asked if he had anything to say before the sentencing.
Karim sentenced Wan Nur Firdaus to eight years’ jail for the offences.
Wan Nur Firdaus was charged with knowingly giving support to IS by taking the sumpah setia baiah (oath of loyalty) through the Telegram mobile application in the “Gagak Hitam” chat group using the “Lat Firdaus” monicker.
He allegedly committed the offence at No. 8, Jalan Cili 24/28D, Section 24, Shah Alam, Selangor, at 7.32am on March 30 last year.
The charge under Section 130J(1)(a) of the Penal Code carries a life imprisonment of not more than 30 years and forfeiture of property used or intended to be used in connection with the commission of the offence upon conviction.
On the second count, he was charged with possessing 23 images related to IS in his mobile phone at the same place at 8.35am on Sept 25 last year.
If found guilty, the charge under Section 130JB (1)(a) carries a jail-term of up to seven years or a fine and loss of ownership of the materials involved.
He pleaded guilty to both of- fences, and was sentenced to eight years’ jail on the first charge and five years’ jail on the second charge.
The jail sentence will run concurrently from the date of his arrest on Sept 25 last year.
In a separate High Court, cook Rosmizam Che Din, 28, was sentenced to six years’ jail for committing similar offences last year.
Judge Datuk Mohd Sofian Abd Razak meted out the sentence after Rosmizam pleaded guilty to supporting IS in the same Telegram chat group at a house at No. 73, Jalan USJ 6/3B in Subang Jaya at 12.33am on March 30 last year.
He was also charged with possessing 34 images and two videos related to IS in his mobile phone at a parking lot near Da’Men supermarket, Persiaran Subang Permai in Subang Jaya at 1.30pm on July 15 last year.
For the first offence, Rosmizam was sentenced to six years’ jail under Section 130J(1)(a) and two years’ imprisonment for the second charge, which falls under Section 130JB(1)(a) of the Penal Code. The court ordered Rosmizam’s sentences to run concurrently from the date of his arrest on July 15 last year.
When delivering the sentence, Sofian said the accused was mature enough to know that IS was a militant group that could destabilise the country.
“Pledging the oath of loyalty to IS is wrong as it indicates that you will do anything for IS… even when it may cost your life.”