Man, brother-in-law jailed for involvement in Abu Sayyaf militant group activities

From the New Straits Times (Jul 3): Man, brother-in-law jailed for involvement in Abu Sayyaf militant group activities

A 27-year-old man and his brother-in-law were sentenced to six years and three years’ jail respectively for being members of Abu Sayyaf militant group and omitting information related to the terror group.

Judge Datuk Mohd Sofian Abd Razak meted out the sentence against Hajar Abdul Mubin and Abdul Syamir Dabilin, 25, after they pleaded guilty to being members of Islamic State and intentional omission of information about a terror act.

Sofian in his judgment said Hajar was lucky as the prosecution team decided to offer an alternative charge.

“Fleeing to Malaysia is not a short cut for you to escape from involvement in Abu Sayyaf terror group. Your act can threaten the national security,” he said.

Sofian told Abdul Syamir he should not hide information related to terrorism in the county even it involved family members.

“You should know what your brother-in-law did was wrong. You should report it to the authorities,” he said.

Hajar was accused of supporting Abu Sayyaf by being a member of the Abu Sayyaf group at a house in Lorong Pangsa Baiduri 2, Taman Desa Baiduri, Cheras, between 2010 and Aug 30 last year.

He was charged under Section 130J(1)(b) of the Penal Code which carries maximum 30 years’ imprisonment.

Abdul Syamir was charged with intentional omission of information regarding a terrorist act at Persiaran Pangsa Baiduri, Taman Desa Baiduri, Cheras, between 2008 and Aug 30 last year.

The offence falls under Section 130M of the same Code which provides for seven years’ jail, fine, or both, upon conviction.

Earlier, counsel Zaini Bakar who represented the duo pleaded for lenient sentences against his clients.

“Hajar has not been a member of Abu Sayyaf since he escaped in 2015 while Abdul Syamir did not report about the former as he believed Hajar had repented,” he said.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Munirah Shamsudin pressed for deterrent sentences as the case involved public interest.

The duo were among 19 people nabbed by police in a series of raids between July 4 and Aug 30 last year, believed to have planned terror attacks during the Sea Games closing ceremony and National Day celebration last year.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/crime-courts/2018/07/387063/man-brother-law-jailed-involvement-abu-sayyaf-militant-group