Updated version Six members of Al-Ma'unah, an extremist Islamic militant group, were each sentenced to 10 years in jail by the Kuala Lumpur High Court today following their guilty plea to an alternative charge of preparing to wage war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Justice Zulkefli Ahmad Makinuddin ordered the sentence to run from their date of arrest on July 6 and 7.

The six had pleaded guilty to an alternative charge under section 122 of the Penal Code for collecting, or attempting to collect, men and arms in preparation for the intention of waging war or attempting to do so.

The six admitted committing the offence between April and July this year at Pos 2, Km 19, Kuala Rui, Jalanraya Timur-Barat, Grik; Batalion 304, Infantri (AW), Kem Grik, Grik; and in Bukit Jenalik, Sauk, all in Perak.

The offence carries the sentence of either life imprisonment or a jail term of not more than 20 years and a fine.

Involvement admitted

When the facts of the case were read out on Tuesday, Riduan Berahim and Azlan Abdul Ghani admitted that they and 17 others had posed as soldiers to steal a cache of weapons and ammunition from two military installations ([#1]Six Al-Ma'unah members to know fate on Thursday[/#], Dec 5).

Two others, Megat Mohd Hanafi Ilias and Muhamad Nukshah Bandi Che Mansor had admitted that they were trained at Bukit Jenalik on how to use arms.

The remaining two, Shahidi Ali and Khairul Anuar Mohd Ariffin, admitted being involved in explosions at a brewery and a Hindu temple in Selangor.

Fourteen of the 29 Al-Ma'unah members facing trial for waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong were offered the alternative charge. The remaining eight others claimed trial.

The other 15 members are charged under section 121 of the Penal Code for waging war or abetting to wage war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong which carries the sentence of death or life imprisonment and a fine if found guilty. ([#1]Twenty-nine Al-Ma'unah members claim trial[/#], Aug 9)

The are alleged to have committed the offence between June and July 6 at Pos 2; Batalion 30 in Kem Grik; and in Bukit Jenalik.

They are alleged to have carried out an arms heist at two military camps by duping the sentries into believing they were there to conduct an arms inspection in the early hours of July 2.

Serious offence

Zulkefli said he had taken into consideration public interest when passing the sentence.

"The offence committed by the six is a serious one. I don't see the different roles they have played in this incident to consider different sentences. They all played the same role," said Zulkefli in his summary judgment.

"Although they are not the leaders of the group or the masterminds, the facts of the case showed they had the intention to commit the offence," he added.

Zulkefli was referring to the mitigation pleas made by the defence counsel which said that their clients had not played an active part in any of the incidents allegedly committed by the Al-Ma'unah group.

The court was filled with family members of the six today who were each allowed a visit by three family members before being taken away to the Sungai Buloh prison.

Earlier in the morning, just before Zulkefli pronounced his sentence, defence counsel Khamshah Bakar informed the court that his client Abu Bakar Ismail would like to plead guilty to the alternative charge.

Plea change

Zulkefli said that he would not hear the plea at the moment as he was ready to pass sentence on the others and asked Abu Bakar to make up his mind before changing pleas.

This is the second time Abu Bakar has asked to change his plea.

He pleaded guilty when the alternative charge was preferred against him on Dec 4 but changed his mind and claimed trial the next day.

The court will hear Abu Bakar's plea when the hearing resumes on Jan 15.

Of the six sentenced today, only counsel Bhagwan Singh, for Khairul Anuar, told the court that he would be appealing against the decision.

The prosecution, led by Attorney-General Mohtar Abdullah, said they would not be appealing for a heavier sentence.