Sentence of nine Filipinos upheld
> Federal Court makes unanimous ruling in Lahad Datu case
PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court yesterday upheld the death sentence of the nine Philippine nationals for waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong over the 2013 Lahad Datu intrusion following a final appeal.
The nine, Julham Rashid, 70; Virgilio Nemar Patulada @ Mohammad Alam Patulada, 53; Salib Akhmad Emali, 65; Tani Lahad Dahi, 64; Basad Manuel, 42 who is the son of the late self-proclaimed Sultan Sulu Jamalul Kiram; Datu Amirbahar Hushin Kiram, 54; Atik Hussin Abu Bakar, 46; Al Wazir Osman @ Abdul, 62; and Ismail Yasin, 77, had been sentenced to death by the Court of Appeal on June 8, last year.
Chief Justice Tun Md Raus Sharif, who chaired a five-man panel, arrived at the unanimous decision after hearing submissions from both the prosecution team and defence counsel.
“We have no reason to dispute the findings of the High Court and the reaffirmation of the Court of Appeal.
“The decision to mete out the death sentence is the most appropriate punishment based on the findings and facts of the case,” he said during his judgement at the Palace of Justice.
Other judges in the panel were Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Ahmad Maarop, Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Richard Malanjum, Tan Sri Ramly Ali and Tan Sri Azahar Mohamed.
The Federal Court also upheld 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.
The 14 accused of terrorist-related offences are Philippine nationals 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; Salib; locals Abd Hadi Mawan, 53; Rijmal Salleh, 25; Abdul Majil Jubin, 46 and Totoh Hismullah, 60.
Despite being acquitted of two terrorist-related offences, Salib Akhmad’s death sentence was upheld.
The prosecution was led by Awang Armadajaya Awang Mahmud, deputy head of the appellate and trial division.
Other deputy public prosecutors included Nurulhuda Nur’aimi Mohd Nor, Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin and Hamzah Ismail.
The defence counsel were Datuk N. Sivananthan, Liu Mei Ching, Harpreet Kaur, Abd Gani Zelika and Lam Kah Kah.
Security at the Palace of Justice was tight with a high presence of security guards and policemen.
Reporters were made to cover the proceedings from an unused Federal Court room as the courtroom was packed.