Former Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee Yazid Sufaat and cafeteria assistant Muhammad Hilmi Hasim claimed trial at the High Court in Kuala Lumpur today to a charge of being members of the Tanzim Al-Qaeda Malaysia terrorist group.    

Yazid, 49, who operated the cafeteria at the Jalan Duta Court Complex in Kuala Lumpur, and Muhammad Hilmi, 33, appeared calm when the charge was read out to them.

They allegedly committed the offence at a house in DL 11, Taman Bukit Ampang, Lorong Mutiara 2, Lembah Jaya between Aug 1, 2012 and Feb 7 this year, under Section 130KA of the Penal Code (Act 574), which carries a life sentence and liable to fine, upon conviction.

However, Justice Kamardin Hashim deferred hearing of the case upon a request by counsel New Sin Yew, who is representing both accused, pending the outcome of their appeal at the Federal Court against a Court of Appeal decision.

Last Tuesday, the Court of Appeal allowed the prosecution’s application to set aside the High Court's acquittal and discharge for Yazid on a charge of promoting terrorism among the people in Syria, and Muhammad Hilmi and housewife Halimah Hussein, of abetting him.    

The trio were charged last February with committing the offences at a house in Taman Bukit Ampang between Aug 1 and Oct 20 last year, under Section 130G(a) of the Penal Code (Act 574) and Section 109 of the same Code, respectively, which carry a maximum 30 years' jail term and a fine upon conviction.

They subsequently applied to strike out the charges and on May 20, Justice Kamardin Hashim allowed their application and granted them an acquittal and a discharge.

The trio’s case which had been ordered to be transmitted back to the High Court by the Court of Appeal was fixed for mention on Sept 17 by Justice Mohd Azman Husin today.

Meanwhile, the court also granted deputy public prosecutor Mohamad Hanafiah Zakaria’s request for both accused to be remanded at the Sungai Buloh prison.

- Bernama