KOTA KINABALU, June 27 — The High Court here heard yesterday that Lahad Datu Special Branch chief ASP Noraidin Awang Maidin was not alerted on the threat from the Sultanate of Sulu by a policeman on trial. 

Noraidin said since assuming his post on December 27 last year, the accused, Corporal Hassan Ali Basari, had never reported to him either orally or in writing on the threat.

The information, which was important to national security, should have been conveyed to him immediately, added Noraidin.

Hassan, 55, from Semporna, is charged with voluntarily withholding information on terrorism activities at the office of the Special Branch chief, Lahad Datu police headquarters, between January and March 3 this year.

The charge, under section 130M of the Penal Code, carries a jail term of up to seven years or a fine or both upon conviction.

Noraidin said the accused was tasked with investigations and intelligence on threats from the Sultanate of Sulu.

Supt Anwar Ahmad from Bukit Aman’s Special Branch Department told the court he got permission from deputy public prosecutor Datuk Mohd Hanafiah Zakaria in Putrajaya to intercept the accused’s telephone conversation. 

Anwar, who made the application on February 15, said the accused used two telephone numbers to communicate with Sulu terrorists who intruded Kampung Tanduo in Lahad Datu.

He said the communication was intercepted to gather information on the incursion as information had been obtained from sources linking the accused with the intruders.

The accused is represented by lawyers Kamarudin Mohamad Chinki and Ram Singh while Datuk Nordin Hassan led the prosecution. 

The trial before Justice P. Ravinthran continues Friday during which the prosecution would produce two more witnesses. — Bernama