High Court sends father, son to jail for concealing terror-related information
RAHMAT KHAIRULRIJAL
New Straits Times30 March 2018
KUALA LUMPUR: The atmosphere at the High Court here today was sombre as a man and his son were sentenced to 12 months in jail for intentional omission of information regarding a terrorist act last year.
Ahmad Omar, 52, could not hold back his tears while in the dock when judge Datuk Azman Abdullah meted out the sentence, after he and his son, Jaffar Ahmad, 26, pleaded guilty to the offence.
Ahmad’s family, who sat in the public gallery, also burst into tears when he pleaded for a lenient sentence.
The father of six told the court that he is the sole breadwinner of his family.
"I am very remorseful over my crime and promise not to repeat the same mistake," he said in between sobs.
Ahmad and Jaffar were charged with intentionally omitting information regarding a terrorist act which took place at MAG-03, Persiaran Pangsa Baiduri, Taman Desa Baiduri, Cheras, between 2009 and Aug 30 last year.
They were allegedly protecting the identity of Hajar Abdul Mubin, 25, who joined the Abu Sayyaf militant group in 2011.
The offence falls under Section 130M of the Penal Code, which provides for seven years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both, upon conviction.
In his judgement, Azman said that omitting information on someone who was deemed a criminal was a serious offence, as it could encourage others to commit crime.
"You should not protect them and give them a job, while knowing that (they are) high on police’s wanted list.
"I hope you will change after serving your jail sentence," he added.
The court also ordered the duo’s jail sentence to run from the date of their arrest on Aug 30.
Deputy public prosecutor Faida Mohd Rasidee pressed for a deterrent sentence, stating that the case involved the public interest. © New Straits Times Press
