Malaysia to try 29 Filipinos in Sabah standoff

MANILA, Philippines - A Malaysian court will hold a joint trial for 29 persons implicated in the entry of Sulu sultanate followers in Sabah last February.

A report by The Star Online said Malaysian judge Ravinthran Paramaguru had ordered the conduct of the joint trial for the accused, who have pleaded not guilty to the charges. 

The 29 have been accused of waging war against Malaysian king, among other charges.

“One or more persons can be charged and tried jointly if they are charged for the same offence or different offences under one transaction,” the report quoted Malaysian Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail as saying. 

'The keyword here is one transaction,” he added.

The Star Online said 21 of the accused have been accused of violating provisions against declaring war against the king and being a member of a terrorist group, which is punishable by death and lifetime imprisonment, respectively.

Among those facing the two charges, the report said, is datu Amirbahar Hussin Kiram, the nephew of Sulu sultan Jamalul Kiram and general of the sultanate forces that entered Kampung Tanduo in Lahad Datu.

Also facing trial for similar offences were Basad Samuel, Mohamad Ali Ahmad, Pabblo Allie, Abd Hadi Mawan, Atik Hussin Abu Bakar, Dani Ismail, Saidili Jaharul, Totoh Hismullah,  Basil Samiul, Rizman Gulan, Abdul Majil Jubin, Rijmal Salleh, Julham Rashid, Tani Lahad Dahi, Al Wazir Osman, Virgilio Nemar Patulada, Masir Aidin, Anwar Salib Akhmad, Ismail Yasin and Binhar Salib Akhmad.

The report said four persons were charged for supposedly joining a terrorist group namely Aman Radie, Timhar Hadir, Holland Kalbi and Lin Mad Salleh.

Three others have been charged for harboring terrorists namely Norhaida Ibnahi, Kadir Uyung and Lating Tiong. The crime is punishable by life imprisonment.

A certain Salib Akhmad Emali is facing four charges including the recruiting of persons to become members of a terrorist group.

The report said the plea of a suspect identified as Habil Suhaili would be recorded on July 12 since he was still undergoing treatment in a hospital.

"The judge also fixed July 15 to hear the case management," the report said.

The Sulu sultanate followers led by Raja Muda, brother of sultan Jamalul Kiram III, went to Sabah last February to assert their claim to Sabah, which they consider their ancestral land.

Violence erupted after the sultan’s followers refused to leave the area despite the deadlines set by Malaysian government. A Malaysian court will hold a joint trial for 29 persons implicated in the entry of Sulu sultanate followers in Sabah last February.

A report by The Star Online said Malaysian judge Ravinthran Paramaguru had ordered the conduct of the joint trial for the accused, who have pleaded not guilty to the charges. 

The 29 have been accused of waging war against Malaysian king, among other charges.

“One or more persons can be charged and tried jointly if they are charged for the same offence or different offences under one transaction,” the report quoted Malaysian Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail as saying. 

'The keyword here is one transaction,” he added.

The Star Online said 21 of the accused have been accused of violating provisions against declaring war against the king and being a member of a terrorist group, which is punishable by death and lifetime imprisonment, respectively.

Among those facing the two charges, the report said, are Datu Amirbahar Hussin Kiram, the nephew of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram and general of the sultanate forces that entered Kampung Tanduo in Lahad Datu.

Also facing trial for similar offences were Basad Samuel, Mohamad Ali Ahmad, Pabblo Allie, Abd Hadi Mawan, Atik Hussin Abu Bakar, Dani Ismail, Saidili Jaharul, Totoh Hismullah,  Basil Samiul, Rizman Gulan, Abdul Majil Jubin, Rijmal Salleh, Julham Rashid, Tani Lahad Dahi, Al Wazir Osman, Virgilio Nemar Patulada, Masir Aidin, Anwar Salib Akhmad, Ismail Yasin and Binhar Salib Akhmad.

The report said four persons were charged for supposedly joining a terrorist group namely Aman Radie, Timhar Hadir, Holland Kalbi and Lin Mad Salleh.

Three others have been charged for harboring terrorists namely Norhaida Ibnahi, Kadir Uyung and Lating Tiong. The crime is punishable by life imprisonment.

A certain Salib Akhmad Emali is facing four charges including the recruiting of persons to become members of a terrorist group.

The report said the plea of a suspect identified as Habil Suhaili would be recorded on July 12 since he was still undergoing treatment in a hospital.

"The judge also fixed July 15 to hear the case management," the report said.

The Sulu sultanate followers led by Datu Raja Muda, brother of Sultan Jamaluk Kiram III, went to Sabah last February to assert their claim to Sabah, which they consider their ancestral land.

Violence erupted after the sultan’s followers refused to leave the area despite the deadlines set by Malaysian government. Malacañang has asked the Kiram group to return to the Philippines but they refused.