KOTA KINABALU: Nine Filipino nationals were spared the death penalty and instead jailed for life by the High Court here after they were convicted of waging war against the Yang Dipertua Agong.

The nine included Datu Amirbahar Hushin Kiram, nephew of late self-styled Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, who ordered the intrusion to Kg. Tanduo in Lahad Datu on Feb 2013.

High Court Justice Stephen Chung also imposed a similar sentence on Atik Hussin Abu Bakar, Basad Manuel, Ismail Yasin, Virgilio Nemar Patulada@Mohammad, Salib Akhmad Emali, Al Wazir Osman, Tani Lahad Dahi, and Julham Rashid after finding them guilty under Section 121 of the Penal Code.

The nine appeared calm when the sentences were read out at the special High Court in the State Prison Department Hall at Kepayan near here Tuesday.

Amir Bahar was however seen shaking his head slightly when Justice Chung imposed the life sentence on him.

Amir Bahar was also sentenced to 18 years jail after being found guilty of being a member of a terrorist group under section 130KA of the Penal Code.

Justice Chung ordered the jail term to run from the date of his arrest and concurrently with his life sentence.

Also jailed for 18 years for the same offence were Salib, Al Wazir, Tani, and Julham.

Justice Chung also ordered Atik, Basad, Ismail and Virgilio as well as fellow Filipino nationals Lin Mad Salleh, Holland Kalbi, Aiman Radie to be jailed for 13 years for the same offence.

Malaysians Abdul Hadi Mawan who was convicted under Section 130KA for being a member of a terrorist group was jailed for 15 years.

Also jailed for 15 years were fellow Malaysian Pabblo Alie who had pleaded guilty under Section 130G(c) of the Penal Code for inciting or promoting a terrorist act, as well as Mohamad Ali Ahmad who had also pleaded guilty under Section 130J for knowingly soliciting support for a terrorist group.

The only woman in the trial, Norhaida Ibnahi, was jailed for 10 years after being convicted under Section 130K for harbouring terrorist.

Counsels Datuk N. Sivananthan said he would be appealing against the convicting and sentencing of his clients while Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar said he would be appealing against the acquittal of Filipino national Basil Samiul who had been charged under Section 130J for supporting a terrorist group.-thestar