AL-MA'UNAH MEMBER DID NOT BELIEVE IN GROUP'S SILAT, COURT TOLD

KUALA LUMPUR, July 5 (Bernama) -- An Al-Ma'unah member told the High Court here today that he did not believe in the silat of his group because he did not feel anything when he underwent training in the martial art.

Mohamed Ramly Mohamood, 46, a Felcra Tanah Merah driver in Kelantan, said he was not floored when he faced the group group leader, Mohamed Amin Mohamed Razali, nor when training in Cherating, Pahang.

He said he pretended to fall back during training just to get the certificate from Mohamed Amin so that he could acquire further medical knowledge.

"If I did not fall back Mohamed Amin would scold me," he said, adding that his leader told him that if he did not fall he would not be able to enhance his silat and medical skills.

He was making his defence together with Mohamed Amin and 17 other Al-Ma'unah members on a charge of waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in three places in Perak between June and July 6 last year.

They are alleged to have committed the offence at Pos 2, Kuala Rui, Gerik, 304 Infantry Battalion, Gerik Camp, and Bukit Jenalek, Sauk.

The offence under section 121 of the Penal Code carries the death sentence or life imprisonment on conviction.

Mohamed Ramly said that after becoming an Al-Ma'unah member he attended two courses held by the group in Cherating, Pahang, and Tok Uban.

On both occasions the members were driven to the venues which were not disclosed to them beforehand.

After the two courses he was asked to attend another one, also at an undisclosed venue, on June June 28 to replace a friend who could not make it, he said.

Another group member, Mohamed Zaini Mohd Zainal, 26, when continuing his testimony, said he felt normal when carrying out Mohamed Amin's order to don army fatigues before proceeding to the two army camps because he thought that he was going to train with the army.

He said although he was not a military personnel, he felt that it was not an offence to don the fatiques because he thought that the uniforms were loaned to the Al-Ma'unah.

The hearing before Justice Datuk Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin continues on Tuesday.

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