Updated version Seven members of the Al-Ma'unah group, an extremist Islamic militant group, this morning pleaded guilty to an alternative charge of preparing to wage war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

They now face either life imprisonment or a jail term of not more than 20 years and a fine.

The sentence will be passed after their defence counsel present their mitigation pleas which will be heard by justice Zulkefli Ahmad Makinuddin tomorrow.

Today is the 36th day of the trial and thus far the prosecution has presented evidence from 56 witnesses and is nearing the close of their case.

Fourteen accused offered

Fourteen of the total 29 accused were offered the alternative charge, under section 122 of the Penal Code which refers to collecting, or attempting to collect, men and arms in preparation for the intention of waging war or attempting to do so.

Of the 14, nine were charged with making preparations to wage war between April and July this year at Pos 2, Km 19, Kuala Rui, Jalanraya Timur-Barat, Grik; Batalion 304, Infantri (AW), Kem Grik, Grik; and in Bukit Jenalik, Sauk, all in Perak.

Five others were charged for making general preparations to wage war between April and July this year. The places where the offences were committed were not stated in the alternative charge sheet.

The 14 are part of the 29 members who were originally charged under section 121 of the Penal Code for waging war or abetting to wage war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong which carries the sentence of death or life imprisonment and a fine if found guilty.

The 29 are alleged to have committed the offence between June and July 6 at Pos 2; Batalion 30 in Kem Grik; and in Bukit Jenalik. ([#1]Twenty-nine Al-Ma'unah members claim trial[/#], Aug 9)

The seven who pleaded guilty agreed to the facts of the case which were read out to them.

Radio contact with army

The facts said that they were all members of the Al-Ma'unah group whose main mission was to topple the government and replace it with one which was based on the rules of Islam.

In this regard, the group members had made radio contact on July 3 with the Malaysian army and asked them to join in the mission.

The court heard that the group in their radio communication with the army said that they wanted Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to step down within the next 24 hours and that their group had surrounded Kuala Lumpur.

The facts of the case further stated they made preparations to fulfill their mission by stocking up food to last them for at least three weeks, purchasing army fatigues, stealing and painting three four-wheel-drive vehicles to look like military vehicles and finally, taking part in an arms heist at two army installations in the early hours of July 2.

Two of the seven who pleaded guilty were also involved in launching grenade attacks at the Carlsberg brewery in Shah Alam and the Batu Caves Hindu temple, both in Selangor.

Defence counsel's application dismissed

Karpal Singh, counsel for group leader Mohd Amin Mohd Razali, who was not offered the alternative charge, had made an application to the court that the seven not be sentenced as yet if they are to be called as witnesses as this would be prejudicial to the other defendants.

Attorney-General Mohtar Abdullah, who is leading the prosecution, had said he may call at least one of the seven.

He also said that the defendants should be sentenced after judgment had been passed to allow the prosecution to record statements from them for evidence.

Zulkefli dismissed Karpal's application, ruling that he will sentence the seven after hearing their mitigation pleas tomorrow.

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[#1]Al-Ma'unah defence lawyers ask for lesser charges[/#] (Nov 20)