A police statement given by a hostage on the killing of two security personnel by Al-Ma'unah members was tendered as a witness's statement at the treason trial of 29 Al-Ma'unah members at the Kuala Lumpur High Court this morning.

In the statement, Jaafar Putih identified Al-Ma'unah leader Mohd Amin Mohd Razali as the person who killed hostage R Sagadevan, a police Special Branch officer, by firing two shots from an M-16 rifle to his head.

He also stated that he saw an unidentified gang member kill Army Ranger Mattew Medan by shooting him in the back on instructions from Amin.

Jaafar's statement was tendered by the prosecution in place of direct evidence as he had died on July 18.

Jaafar, a villager from Sauk, was taken hostage by the Al-Ma'unah members who were hiding out at Bukit Jenalik, Sauk, after allegedly robbing a cache of arms from two army installations on July 2.

Jaafar had given two statements to the police on July 8 and 10, recorded by ASP M Indraraja and ASP Baharom Abu.

The 29 Al-Ma'unah members are charged under section 121 of the Penal Code for waging war against the Yang diPertuan Agong, an offence which carries the sentence of death or life imprisonment or a fine on conviction.

They are alleged to have committed the offence between June and July 6 at Pos 2, Km 19, Kuala Rui, Jalanraya Timur-Barat, Grik; Batalion 304, Infantri (AW), Kem Grik, Grik; and at Bukit Jenalik, Sauk, all in Perak.[#1](Twenty-nine Al-Ma'unah members claim trial, Aug 9)[/#].

Hearing before Justice Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin will continue with a new witness this afternoon.