Gunasekaran, the Seremban Jaya assemblyman, and Saminathan, who is Melaka’s Gadek assemblyman as well as a state exco member, were brought to the Ayer Keroh Sessions Court this morning together with businessman S Chandru in their first public appearance after their arrests alongside nine others.

The trio were represented by DAP lawyer and Bukit Gelugor MP, Ramkarpal Singh. Lim Kit Siang and Human Resources Minister M Kula Segaran were among senior DAP leaders present at the court to show their moral support.

They join seven others who are being brought to court in Segamat, Kuala Kangsar, Sepang and Selayang to be read similar terrorism charges.

All three were denied bail and will be sent to the Sungai Buloh prison.

Another two are expected to be charged on Thursday.

A total of 12 people were detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 and accused, among others, of being involved in a plot to revive LTTE, the group once locked in a decades-old armed movement for Tamil self-determination in Sri Lanka.

At the Kuala Kangsar Sessions Court, technician S Arvainthan and taxi driver V Balamurugan were also charged with promoting terrorism.

Their lawyer, RSN Rayer, told FMT they were said to have participated in a ceremony in support of LTTE in Sungai Siput on Dec 28, 2014.

“I submitted that the charge against them was vague, and that bail should be offered,” he added.

However, he said the prosecution submitted before judge Rohaida Ishak that no bail could be offered as Sosma procedures were used against the accused.

The duo will be held in remand at the Sungai Buloh prison. Case mention has been scheduled for Nov 28.

Those found guilty of the offence can be imprisoned for life or up to 30 years or fined. The government can also seize any property used to commit the offence.