Jailed 5 years for ‘Movida’ attack involvement
KUALA LUMPUR: A burger seller, who provided support during an attack on the “Movida” night club by the Islamic State (IS) group, was sent to jail for five years by a High Court yesterday.
Wan Syahrul Naim Wan Junus, 29, from Pendang, Kedah, who admitted to two charges, was a member in a “Telegram” group called “Black Crow” and Mohamad Wanndy Mohd Jedi, was the “group admin”.
High Court judge Datuk Azman Abdullah jailed Wan Syahrul for five years, after he admitted to giving support to the terrorist act, which involved the use of explosives, through a “Telegram” application on his handphone.
The offence was committed at No. 127, Kampung Pondok Cegar, Pendang, between March 25, 2016 and June 29, 2016.
Wan Syahrul was jailed another two years for possession of IS related items, about 11.15pm on June 29, 2016. Azman ordered both the sentences to run concurrently, from the date of arrest on June 29, 2016.
In delivering his decision, Azman said if the accused’s family were to have been at the place of the incident, he would not have agreed with the act.
“This is an act involving the lives of others. They (victims) have family members, parents too,” said Azman.
He advised Wan Syahrul to use the technology (application) for his benefit such as learning Al-Quran or religious books, as it would give more “pahala” (benefits).
He also said the accused should have helped his aged parents if he had no other activities. He said public interest overrides the accused’s interest, in this case.
According to the facts of the case, Wan Syahrul, who works at an “Otai” stall, was a member of a “Telegram” group called “Black Crow” and was later added to another Telegram group “Amanah (PHB) VS Pas”, in which he had posted “Allahuakbar” and “congratulations” over the success of the Movida attack.
Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Izhanudin Alias said that the accused had pledged loyalty to the IS group.
“The court should give a sentence which can serve as a lesson and warning to others who support IS,” said Mohd Izhanudin.
Wan Syahrul’s lawyer Zaidan Daud said Wan Syahrul had repented while he was in detention and that he is still young and is supporting his parents.