An alleged Islamic militant has been sentenced to 10 years' jail and 18 lashings for unlawfully possessing firearms, explosives and ammunition, a newspaper report said today.

Zainuri Kamaruddin, 37, said to be a member of the Kumpulan Mujahidin Malaysia, was found guilty by the Sessions Court of possessing an assortment of arms, including detonators and pipe bombs, in 2001, The Star said.

Deputy public prosecutor Masri Mohamed Daud was quoted by Bernama as saying the large cache of weapons, if used, would have threatened national security.

Zainuri was arrested in May 2001 with several others accused of engaging in militant activities and waging a "holy war" to overthrow the government after undergoing training in Afghanistan.

In the same year, nine of those arrested were ordered to be held without trial under the harsh Internal Security Act. They included alleged mastermind Nik Adli Nik Aziz, the son of the opposition Islamic Party's spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat.