Justice Azhar Abdul Hamid ordered Mohamad Awang, 49, to serve the jail term from the date of his arrest on June 23, 2024, Bernama reported.

Mohamad was charged with possessing items related to Daesh in his mobile phone and laptop at a house in Taman Daya in Johor Bahru, at 7.05am on June 23, 2024.

The charge is under Section 130JB (1) (a) of the Penal Code which provides for a maximum jail term of seven years or with a fine and to confiscate any property that has been used or intended to be used in committing the offence.

Earlier, deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Nur Ainaa Ridzwan sought a maximum jail sentence of seven years, taking into account that the offence was serious because it involved the security of the country.

She said the accused had previously been sentenced to eight years in jail in 2018 under Section 130JA of the Penal Code (which involves travelling to a foreign country for commission of terrorist acts there).

However, the accused had still not taken any remedial action after he was released on June 21, 2022 and returned to the group.

“Therefore, public interest trumps the personal interests of the accused,” said the DPP, who co-handled the case with DPP Lina Hanini Ismail.

Lawyer Shah Wira Abdul Halim, representing Mohamad, sought a fine on the grounds that his client was married and supported his family and 73-year-old mother.

“My client has repented and regrets his actions. He has promised not to repeat the same mistake and try to improve himself,” said Shah Wira.