Yazid is a committed member of JI, says witness

The High Court was told Thursday that former Internal Security Act detainee Yazid Sufaat was a committed member of the terrorist group Jemaah Islamiah Malaysia.

Prof Dr Rohan Gunaratna, head of International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research of Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, also said Yazid was highly trained and capable of carrying out Al-Qaeda's attacks after the arrest of the global militant group's Riduan Isamuddin, also known as Hambali.

Cross-examined by Yazid’s lawyer Amer Hamzah Arshad on whether he had met Yazid before this, Rohan said: "No".

He said his report on Yazid was based on Hambali's evidence from the 911 Commission Report and some other articles and reports.

"I have consulted a large number of sources, reviewed hundreds of interrogations, looked at a wide range of sources.

"I also looked at multiple sources of information when it comes to a particular subject matter," Rohan said when asked how he obtained information on Yazid.

He was testifying in the trial of Yazid, 51, and cafeteria assistant Muhammad Hilmi Hashim, 35, who are charged with being involved in activities promoting terrorism.

Yazid is accused of two counts of promoting aggression with intent to incite the people of Syria and becoming a member of the 'Tanzim Al Qaeda Malaysia' group while Muhammad Hilmi is charged with abetting him.

They are alleged to have committed the offence at DL 11, Taman Bukit Ampang, Lorong Mutiara 2, Lembah Jaya, Ampang, between Aug 1, 2012, and Feb 7, 2013.

The charges are under Section 130KA of the Penal Code (Act 574), which carries a life sentence and a fine.

Deputy public prosecutor Nurdeenie Abdul Rashid appeared for the prosecution.

The hearing before Judge Datuk Mohd Azman Husin continues on Nov 23.