Trader gets jail, whipping for hand grenade possession

BATU PAHAT: A night market trader was sentenced to 14 years' jail and six strokes of the rotan by the Sessions Court here today for illegal possession of a hand grenade, last month.
Judge Mohammad Khalid Abd Karim handed down the sentence on Md Saifuddin Muji, 28, after he pleaded guilty to possession of an M67 hand grenade at a house in Kampung Parit Gantung, Sri Merlung, Rengit near here, on Aug 11.
He was charged under Section 8 of the Firearms Act (Increased Penalties) 1971 which carries a maximum jail sentence of 14 years and at least six strokes of the rotan upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Muhammad Fadzlan Mohd Noor appeared for the prosecution, while the accused was not represented.
When handing down the sentence, Mohammad Khalid said the offence committed by the accused was very serious as he had a malicious intention to attack a temple and night clubs in Johor Baru recently, which could potentially cause chaos and fear among the public.
Earlier, Md Saifuddin pleaded for a lenient sentence on the grounds that he has an elderly mother to take care of.
On Aug 9, Md Saifuddin and his friend Jasanizam Rosni, 33, were nabbed in a special operation at a hut in Kuala Krai, Kelantan following a bomb attack at the Movida nightclub in Puchong, Selangor on June 28 this year.
Two days later, the police found the M67 hand grenade after the accused took them to the location where it was hidden.
On Sept 1, Md Saifuddin was also charged in the Magistrate's Court here for possession of a black flag with Jawi inscriptions associated with the Daesh militant group at Kampung Parit Gantung, Sri Merlung, Rengit on Aug 11.
Md Saifuddin and Jasanizam were jointly charged with plotting an attack on a temple and night clubs in Johor Baru between June 27 and July 2.
However no pleas were recorded from both the accused. — Bernama