An unemployed man was charged in the Magistrate’s Court in George Town today with two counts of providing support to Islamic State (IS) militants and possessing material related to the terrorist group.

Mohamad Saufi Ibrahim, 21, was charged with providing support to IS militants through the Telegram application using the name ‘Saufiibrahim’ addressed at 600A-1-14, Pangasapuri Tanjung Bungah in George Town, between March 25 and June 29 this year.

He was charged under Section 130J(1)(a) of the Penal Code and is punishable under Section 130J of the same Act which provides for life imprisonment or jail term not exceeding 30 years, or a fine, and forfeiture of any property used or intended to be used for committing the offence, if convicted.

For the second count, Mohamad Saufi was charged with possessing terrorist-related materials including a sticker and two books entitled ‘Tarbiyah Jihadiyah’ (Volumes 1-6) and (Volume 7-11) at the same address, at 3.15pm, on July 15.

If convicted, the accused can be punished under Section 130JB(1)(a) of the Penal Code which provides for an imprisonment term not exceeding seven years or a fine, and forfeiture of any item that was used or intended to be used for committing the offence.

No plea was recorded when the charge was read out by a court interpreter before Magistrate Mohamad Amin Shahul Hamid.

The court fixed Oct 4 for mention of the case and no bail was offered to the accused.

The prosecution was conducted by DPP Noor Azura Mohamad Zulkiflee, while the accused was unrepresented.

- Bernama