Tawau: The Sulu Sultanate's 'defence minister', Datu Amirbahar Hushin Kiram, was among another 10 suspected terrorists charged at a closed High Court proceeding at the prison, here, Tuesday.Amirbahar is charged with two counts of waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Aqgong under Section 121 of the Penal Code which carries the death sentence and becoming a member of a terrorist group (Section 130KA of the Penal Code; imprisonment for life), allegedly committed between Feb 9 and March 23, this year at Kg Tanduo, Lahad Datu.
He was charged with nine others including a local woman, Norhaida Ibnahi.
The other accused were Rijmal Salleh, Saidili Jaharul, Dani Ismail, Pabblo Alie, Mohamad Ali Ahmad, Basil Samiul, Rizman Gulan and another local Abdul Majil Jubin.
Each of the eight men face two similar counts under Section 121 and Section 130KA of the Penal Code, allegedly committed between Feb 9 and April 19, this year at different locations in Kg Tanduo, Lahad Datu, Jalan Lihak-Lihak Semporna and Kg Muanad Beluran.
Norhaida is charged under Section 130K of the Penal Code, which carries imprisonment for life for harbouring a terrorist group in a house at Kg Sri Melor, Bugaya, Semporna from Feb 9 to March 22 this year. Judge Ravinthran Paramaguru set June 7 for mention of the case here to fix the trial date.
According to Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, Tuesday's proceedings saw the presence of many counsel as his party wanted to conduct a joint trial on the 10 accused who were charged Tuesday with the accused who were charged before, except Police Corporal Hassan Ali Basari who will be tried on June 24-28.
He said to date, three locals - Norhaida, Abdul Majil and Abdul Hadi Mawan (who were charged previously) - were brought to the court together with the Filipinos from Southern Philippines.
To date 30 people have been charged in court.
Meanwhile, Sabah Law Association (SLA) Immediate Past President, Datuk John Sikayun, said Abdul Gani would apply to the court to transfer the trial of all the cases to the Kota Kinabalu High Court for safety reason and to facilitate each party involved.
In the meantime, SLA President Datuk Gaanesh Nandy said five lawyers from the association represented 18 of the accused, while the rest were represented by counsel James Tsai who was appointed by the Philippines Embassy.
Corporal Hassan will be represented by counsel Kamarudin Mohmad Chinki who was engaged by his family, said Gaanesh.
