Factory clerk jailed 2 years over terror-linked items

at the 10th Health Media Awards 2016 in Kuala KUALA LUMPUR: A factory clerk’s interest in terrorist groups saw her jailed for two years after she pleaded guilty to possession of terror-related items.

Rafidah Juma’at, 26, admitted to committing the offence before High Court judge Datuk Mohamad Shariff Abu Samah yesterday.

In his judgment, Shariff said that even though there was no evidence that the accused had any intention of joining a terror group, keeping books and photos linked to terrorists showed that the accused was a supporter of terrorists.

“You have to be careful.

You have a family and whenever you feel like you want to join in the fight, please remember their faces,” Shariff said.

He ordered Rafidah’s jail sentence to run from the date of her arrest on March 24.

The accused was charged on June 8 at the Seri Manjung magistrate’s court in Perak for having in her possession items related to terrorism at a house in Taman Bistari, Air Tawar, on March 24 this year.

The terror-related items were linked to militant groups Islamic State (IS), al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiyah (JI).

She was charged under Section 130JB(1)(a) of the Penal Code which carries a jail term of not more than seven years or a fine.

In pleading for leniency, Rafidah’s counsel, P.A. Sharon, said her client, who is the fourth of seven children, is supporting her mother and younger siblings.

“Rafidah had no intention of being exposed physically to the terrorist group.

“It was just her strong curiosity to know about what was happening.

“She wants to become a better person and intends to continue working at a concrete production factory to support and care for her mother and younger siblings, as she is the one who has been taking care of them before she was arrested,” Sharon said.

Deputy public prosecutor Mohamad Mustaffa P. Kunyalam urged the court to consider the seriousness of the offence rather than the accused’s personal interest.

Rafidah had in her possession 84 photos that showed support for the IS group, Jemaah Islamiyah leader Abu Bakar Bashir, and terrorism in general on her laptop.

She also had in her possession four books linked to terrorism, including the IS-related Daulah Islam Bukan Khawarij and al-Qaeda and JI-related material Tarbiyah Jihadiyah.