Question of whether 'Royal Sulu Force' was a terrorist group, raised in Lahad Datu intrusion case

KOTA KINABALU: The question on whether or not the 'Royal Sulu Force' (RSF) that intruded into Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu, in February 2013 was a terrorist group was raised at the High Court here today.
Justice Stephen Chung, who presided over the case, said there was no definition to the phrase 'terrorist group' in the Penal Code.
"However, according to Section 130 of the Penal Code, the RSF's action of intruding into Kampung Tanduo endangered the security of the country, and, on March 1, 2013, a skirmish had erupted between the intruders and security force at Kampung Tanduo," he said when delivering his summary of the case.
Ching has yet to decide whether to deliver his decision on the case today. The proceeding continues this afternoon.
The prosecution began its case on Jan 6, 2014 with 30 individuals – 27 Filipinos and three local men – accused of various offences linked to the armed intrusion at Kampung Tanduo.
The prosecution had called 166 witnesses over 239 days of proceeding which ended on Jan 5 this year.
On Feb 5, Chung ordered 19 of the 30 accused to enter their defence after finding that the prosecution had succeeded in establishing a prima facie case.
However, on Feb 23 and 24, nine of the 19, including two locals, chose to plead guilty, but the judge reserved sentencing after the defence closed its case.
Four of the nine each had two charges brought against them – waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and being members of a terrorist group – but only pleaded guilty to being members of a terrorist group.
The defence began its hearing for 24 days from Feb 25 to May 17 with 20 witnesses called. — Bernama