The High Court in Kuala Lumpur today ordered five people, including two brothers and a teenager, to enter their defence for the charge of conspiring to promote terrorism in the country.

Judicial Commissioner Nordin Hassan made the decision after finding that the prosecution had managed to establish a prima facie case against the accused.

In his judgment, Nordin said the court found no defects in the charge made against fertiliser traders and siblings Mohd Anwar Azmi, 34, and Mohd Nurakmal Azmi, 31, drink seller Izwan Shameer Suzaimi, 26, tyre shop worker Muhammad Luqman Hakim Abdul Aziz, 23, and the 17-year-old boy.

Based on the testimonies of 16 prosecution witnesses, he said there were suggestions that the accused were planning to blow up an entertainment centre, create chaos in the city, carry out tests on explosive materials in Gunung Nuang, besides the fact that during their arrest, the accused were found to be in possession of substances needed to produce explosives.

On July 3, 2015, all the accused pleaded not guilty to the charge of conspiring to promote terrorism in the country.

They were alleged to have committed the offence at No 2, Lot 3917, Kampung Bistari, Sungai Michu, Batu 13, Hulu Langat, Selangor between 7pm on April 24 and 1am on April 25.

The charge under Section 120B(1) of the Penal Code, carries a maximum jail term of 30 years and a fine upon conviction.

Deputy public prosecutors Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin, Raja Zaizul Faridah Raja Zaharudin and Zhafran Rahim Hamzah prosecuted.

Mohd Anwar and Mohd Nurakmal were represented by counsel Naizatul Zamrina Karizaman; Izwan Shameer by counsel Faizal Rahman; Muhammad Luqman Hakim by counsel Wong Kar Fai; and the teenager by counsel Nik Zarith Nik Moustpha.

- Bernama