Jamalul Kiram's brother charged with waging war

Datu Amirbahar Hushin Kiram, the brother of Jamalul Kiram, the self-proclaimed sultan of Sulu, was charged in the Lahad Datu magistrate’s court today with waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and being a member of a terrorist group. 

The court sat in a special session at the Lahad Datu district police headquarters. 

Datu Amirbahar, who is said to be the defence minister of the Sulu sultanate, faces the death sentence if convicted under section 121 of the Penal Code for waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong while the terrorist charge under section 130KA of the same code carries life imprisonment and liability of whipping.

Datu Amirbahar, 49, of Jolo, southern Philippines, is alleged to have committed the offences in  Kg Tanduo, Lahad Datu, between Feb 9 and March 23. He was arrested on March 23.

No plea was recorded. The charge was read out to Datu Amirbahar in the Suluk language before Lahad Datu Sessions Court judge Rajalingam SS Maniam, who sat as a magistrate.

The prosecution was led by Trial and Appeal Division chief Nordin Hassan and deputy public prosecutor Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar, both from the Attorney-General’s Chambers, and Lahad Datu DPP Shukor Abu Bakar.

The court also allowed the prosecution's application under section 177A (2) of the Criminal Procedure Code to transfer the case to the Tawau High Court and fixed May 14 for mention in that court. 

Under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012, all security cases are to be tried in the High Court. 

Including today’s case, 20 Filipinos have been charged so far in connection with the recent intrusion in Lahad Datu by armed terrorists. The charges included waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, being members of a terrorist group, sheltering terrorists and recruiting members for a terrorist group. 

A local police corporal had also been charged with failing to provide information on terrorist activities. All the cases had also been transferred to the Tawau High Court.

- Bernama