Another man charged over Lahad Datu intrusion

Another man linked to the terrorist intrusion in Lahad Datu last February was charged in the high Court here today with waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Totoh Hismullah is charged with committing the offence from Feb 9, 2013 to March 29, 2013 at Kampung Simunul in the district of Semporna, Sabah.

The charge is made under Section 121 of the Penal Code. He is also charged under Section 13o of the same law with becoming a member of a terrorist group.

Prosecution was conducted by Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail before judge P.Ravinthran, who presided the case at the Tawau Prison.

This brings to 31, the number of people charged in court over the Lahad Datu intrusion. They included a policeman, Corporal Hassan Ali Basri.

Speaking to reporters later, Abdul Gani said all the accused had appointed their lawyers, except one, who would be represented by a lawyer appointed by the court soon.

He said the prosecution had also obtained the court's permission for all the cases to be transferred to the Kota Kinabalu High Court.

"I have submitted a written proposal to the Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak for all the cases to be transferred to Kota Kinabalu and my proposal has been accepted," he added.

He said all the cases, except involving Hassan, had been fixed for mention at the Kota Kinabalu court on June 27.

The case involving Corporal Hassan has been fixed for hearing on June 24.

Meanwhile, a lawyer appointed by the Philippine government to represent its citizens who are charged with the intrusion incident, James Tsai, said his teamof lawyers would represent 24 Filipinos charged in the case.

He said an application by lawyer Datuk N.Sivananthan to join the team would be heard by the Kota Kinabalu High Court on June 12.

Among the lawyers appointed by the court and present to represent their clients at today's proceeding are Syarulnizam Salleh, YS Lo Yun Sin, Zakaria Ahmad and Ram Singh, representing Basad H Manuel; Ronny Cham, for Ismail Yasin and Abdul Gani Zelika, for Abd Hadi Mawan and Atik Hussin Abu Bakar.

Lawyer Rowiena Rasid, who is appointed by Pabblo Alie's family to represent him.