KOTA KINABALU: The High Court here yesterday fixed Sept 17 to 27 for the trial of 30 individuals – 27 Filipino nationals and three Malaysians – charged with various offences in relation to terrorism activities in Sabah.
Justice P Ravinthran said the court would sit at the General Operations Force Centre in Kinarut in view of the large number of people to be tried.
He also said the timeframe for the trial was sufficient considering that the prosecution would present at least 50 witnesses.
Among the three Malaysians is a woman who faces life imprisonment, if convicted, for harbouring terrorists.
The two Malaysian men were charged with being members of a terrorist group and with treason against Yang di-Pertuan Agong, and face the death sentence or life imprisonment upon conviction.
The offences allegedly committed by the Filipino nationals include waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, which is punishable with the death sentence or life imprisonment.
Meanwhile, Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail told the court that the Filipino nationals had written to the office of the Chief Justice of Sabah and Sarawak to revoke the appointment of their lawyers by the Kota Kinabalu High Court.
He said they had requested that their counsel be appointed by the Philippine government.
Ravinthran said he would decide on the matter after reading the letter. — Bernama