KUALA LUMPUR: A 40-year-old farmer was sentenced to eight years jail by the High Court here for encouraging a person to leave the country to commit terror activities as well as for possessing hundreds of Islamic State (IS) related images and videos.
Judge Datuk Azman Abdullah meted out the sentence against Zefrul Hashim after he pleaded guilty when the charges were read to him by the court translator today.
Azman, in his judgment, said the accused should focus on helping his family instead of aiding the terror group.
“I hope you will change you ways after serving your jail sentence. You must accept the consequences of your action,” he said.
On the first count, the accused was alleged to have provided support to IS and Abu Sayyaf by encouraging a person by the name 'Zahra Alisha' to leave the country to commit terror activities.
He committed the offence via Facebook Messenger using the name 'Abu Qaqa'.
The offence was committed at a house in Taman Perpaduan, Ulu Kinta in Perak between Feb 18 and March 9.
The offence under Section 130J(1)(a) of the Penal Code carries life imprisonment for a term not exceeding 30 years, or a fine, and shall also be liable to forfeiture of any property used intended to be used in connection with the commission of the offence, if convicted.
On the second charge, Zefrul was accused of possessing 109 images and 116 videos which are related to terrorism acts, on his mobile phone,
The charge under Section 130JB (1)(a) of the Penal Code carries an imprisonment term of not exceeding seven years or a fine or forfeiture of any property used intended to be used in connection with the commission of the offence, if convicted.
The offence was allegedly committed at the same place at 3.50pm on March 6.
Zefrul, who was unrepresented, pleaded for a minimum sentence and said he has to support his mother and nephew.
“I regret my actions and promise not to repeat them,” he said.
However, Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhammad Fadzlan Mohd Noor pressed for a deterrent sentence, stating that the case involved public interest.