KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 29 — A commando pleaded not guilty in the High Court here today to a charge of promoting membership in the Islamic State (IS) militant group.

Muhammad Adibzakir Zahri, 29, was charged with committing the offence at Markas 21, Gerup Gerak Khas, Iskandar Camp, Mersing in Johor, in August 2014.

The charge, under Section 130G(b) of the Penal Code, carries an imprisonment for 30 years and fine, if found guilty.

Judicial Commissioner Datuk Mohamad Shariff Abu Samah set Feb 22 for mention.

The court also set Feb 19 for mention of another case against Muhammad Adibzakir, which is for possession of materials related to the IS militant group.

The offence, under Section 130JB(1)(a) of the Penal Code, was allegedly committed at the Sungai Udang police station, Melaka, at 8.50 am on Aug 19 last year.

The charge carries an imprisonment for up to seven years or fine, and which forfeits their right over any of the material, upon conviction Earlier, lawyer M. Visvanathan, representing Muhammad Adibzakir, requested for both cases to be heard together as they involved the same documents, witnesses, charges and transactions.

Mohamad Shariff said it was up to the prosecution whether or not to have the cases tried together. — Bernama