Kiram 'brother' charged in Sabah over alleged intrusion — report

From GMA News (Apr 19): Kiram 'brother' charged in Sabah over alleged intrusion — report

A suspected coordinator and relative of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III was charged before a court in Sabah Friday for his alleged role in the armed conflict between Kiram's followers and Malaysian security forces.

Datu Amirbahar Hushin Kiram was charged in the Lahad Datu Magistrate's Court with waging war against the King, and being a member of a terrorist group, Malaysia's state-run Bernama news agency reported.

But no plea was recorded even as the charge was read out to Amirbahar in the Suluk language before Lahad Datu Sessions Court judge Rajalingam a/l S.S.Maniam, who sat as a magistrate.

Waging war on the King is an offense punishable by death upon conviction. Amirbahar was charged before the court sitting in a special session at the Lahad Datu police headquarters.

The Bernama report described Amirbahar as 49 years old and a "brother" of Sulu Sultan Kiram, and defense minister of the Sulu sultanate. Amirbahar was arrested March 23.

Leading the prosecution were Trial and Appeal Division chief Datuk Nordin Hassan and deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar, both from the Attorney-General's Chambers, and Lahad Datu DPP Shukor Abu Bakar.

Also on Friday, the court allowed the prosecution's application to transfer the case to the Tawau High Court. It set May 14 as the date for mention in that court.

Under the Security Offenses (Special Measures) Act 2012, all security cases are to be tried in the high court.

With Friday's development, at least 20 Filipinos have now been charged in connection with the Sabah row, where Kiram's brother Raja Muda Azzimudie Kiram led a group of armed Filipinos to Sabah.

The group engaged Malaysian forces in a three-week standoff that ended with deadly clashes March 1 and 2. The clashes prompted Malaysian offensives against Kiram's followers since March 5.

Aside from the 20 Filipinos, a Malaysian police corporal was also charged for failing to provide information on terrorist activities.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/304702/news/nation/kiram-brother-charged-in-sabah-over-alleged-intrusion-report