KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 8 ― A student of a skills training institute  was sentenced to two years' jail by the High Court here today for possession of a terrorism-related item, which was a Islamic State flag.

Judicial Commissioner Datuk Nordin Hassan meted out the sentence on Mohd Zaidi Hashim, 36, who pleaded guilty to the charge.

Mohd Zaidi, a trainee at Skills Development Centre in Kuantan, Pahang, was ordered to serve the jail sentence from the date of his arrest on March 24.

In his decision, Nordin said it was against the law for anyone to be in possession of any terrorism-related items and that the offence was serious.

"Malaysia is a peaceful country and we do not want this country to be in chaos because Islamic State is a group that has been gazetted as a terrorist group, but the court took into consideration your mitigation that you are remorse.

"The court is also responsible to give a signal to the public to not make the same mistake that could jeopardise the country's peace,” he added.

The court, he said, also took into account public interest before meting out the sentence on Mohd Zaidi.

Mohd Zaidi, from Kuala Kedah, Kedah, was charged with committing the offence at 6-11A, Block D, Permai Apartment, Jalan Tropicana, Petaling Jaya, Selangor at 1.10pm on March 24 this year.

He was charged under Section 130JB(1)(a) of the Penal Code which provides for imprisonment of up to seven years, or a fine, and may also be liable to forfeiture of any items.

Based on the facts of the case, the flag was found under a suitcase belonging to Mohd Zaidi when police conducted a search on his house.

Earlier during mitigation, Mohd Zaidi said he regretted his act and that he wanted to finish his studies and take care of his mother.

Deputy public prosecutor Azlina Rasdi prosecuted. ― Bernama