They were previously charged with being members of an organised crime group under Section 130V(1) of the Penal Code, which provides for imprisonment of between five and 20 years upon conviction.

Deputy public prosecutor Shafiq Hasim told the High Court that the AGC had examined and accepted their representations and offered a new charge under Section 43 of the Societies Act 1966.

Section 43 deals with the offence of membership in an unlawful society, punishable by up to three years’ jail or a fine not exceeding RM5,000, or both.

Justice Latifah Tahar, who presided over proceedings held at the Kajang prison complex, fixed Nov 7 for the next case mention, where the alternative charge will be read to all 22 accused.

Lawyer Rosli Kamaruddin represented the accused.

The court is also expected to hear mitigation from the lawyer at the upcoming proceedings.

Nasiruddin, 66, his wife Azura Yusof, 58, and 20 others were charged in the Selayang sessions court in October last year with being members of an organised crime group at Bandar Country Homes, Rawang, between October 2020 and September 2024.

Among the 20 others was Adib At-Tamimi, 33, the son of Al-Arqam founder Ashaari Muhammad.

The case was later transferred to the Shah Alam High Court for trial.