KOTA KINABALU, Aug 14 — Three accused in the Lahad Datu intrusion trial were sent to the General Operations Force’s (GOF) 17th Battalion to be handed over to an investigating officer, the High Court here was told today.
Sergeant Norhak Sali, a Public Affairs Division personnel at the Lahad Datu police heardquarters during the standoff, said he was instructed by ASP Rohana Anak Nanu to escort Atik Hussin Abu Bakar, Holland Kalbi and Lin Mad Salleh to the GOF’s main hall from the Cenderawasih police station.
He said he and three other personnel were to hand over the three accused along with case exhibits to investigating officer DSP Yazri Ismail.
“There were nine exhibits to be handed over to DSP Yazri along with the arrestees. I inspected the exhibits to determine that they were the correct exhibits,” he said.
Norhak was testifying at the trial of 30 individuals linked to the intrusion by Sulu gunmen at Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu in February 2013.
The police sergeant, who is now attached to the Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV) unit of the Lahad Datu police heaquarters, said he received the three accused and exhibits around 7.30 am on Feb 24, 2013 from Rohana at the Cenderawasih police station and arrived at the GOF’s main hall around 10 am that day.
Asked by deputy public prosecutor Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar on how he knew the trio’s names, Norhak said he had asked them for their names besides being informed by Rohana.
In the dock are 27 Filipinos and three local residents who are facing one to multiple charges of being members of a terrorist group and waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
They are also alleged to have recruited members for a terrorist group or wilfully harboured individuals they knew to be members of a terrorist group.
The offences were allegedly committed between Feb 12 and April 10, 2013.
The hearing, before Justice Stephen Chung at the Sabah Prisons Department, continues on Aug 17. — Bernama
