An independent speaker was sentenced to nine years’ jail by the High Court in Kuala Lumpur today for entering Syria to support terrorist acts last year.

Judge Kamardin Hashim handed down the sentence on Zulqarnain Ghaz Ab Ghani, 31, to be served from the date of arrest on July 7 last year.

Before handing down the sentence, Kamardin said the court took into account public interest although the terrorist act happened in Syria.

He said the action by Zulqarnain Ghaz in joining the terrorist group was a serious offence.

Zulqarnain Ghaz had pleaded guilty to the charge last Oct 1 and Kamardin had set today for sentencing.

He was charged with entering Syria to give support to the commission of terrorist acts that threatened the safety of the public there.

The offence was committed between April 27, 2014 and Aug 28, 2014.

The charge, under Section 130J(1)(b) of the Penal Code, carries a maximum jail sentence of 30 years or life imprisonment or a fine and forfeiture of assets that had been used in the commission of the offence.

- Bernama