KUALA LUMPUR: A teenager was sentenced to 12 years’ in jail by the High Court here Friday for inciting and promoting acts of terrorism.

High Court Judicial Commissioner Nordin Hassan, who handed out the sentence, said the offence was serious as it involved the safety of society.

“It has a huge impact on the country because of the constant ideological attacks by radicals,” said JC Nordin.

“This problem has to be contained. Not only must the teenager’s importance and future be taken into account but also the public’s,” he said.

He added that the sentence had to send a message over the seriousness of the offence and to ensure that others do not commit the same offence.

JC Nordin also said that due to the seriousness of the offence, it was unsuitable for the 17-year-old to be sent to the Henry Gurney School as recommended by the Welfare Department in a probationary report.

In passing his sentence, he also said that steps must be taken to ensure the teenager was not allowed to interact or be placed in the same prison cell with adult prisoners so as not to be influenced.

He ordered the sentence to run from the day the teenager was arrested on Apr 25 last year.

The teenager was found guilty on May 12, but JC Nordin only passed his judgement Friday while the probationary report was being prepared.

The teenager was arrested together with four other adults by the Bukit Aman Counter Terrorism Unit in Hulu Langat for an alleged conspiracy to attack government buildings, nightclubs, prostitution centres and other entertainment outlets.

The five were found in possession of chemicals and materials commonly used to make explosives.

They committed the offence at No 2, Lot 3917, Kampung Bistari, Sungai Michu, Batu 13, Hulu Langat near here between 7pm April 24, 2015 and 1am on April 25, 2015.-thestar