Muhammad Safuan Mohd, 29, dressed in white prison attire, could not hold back his tears while in the dock when Justice Azman Abdullah announced the sentence after he pleaded guilty to the offences.
Safuan’s family, who sat in the public gallery, also burst into tears and hugged each other when he was led to the court’s lockup after the proceeding.
The father of two, in pleading for leniency, told the court that he was the sole breadwinner of his family and was remorseful for the crime.
“I come from a poor family and my mother had to work to support my two children.
“I will not do this again (supporting IS),” he said amid tears, according to the daily.
Justice Azman, in his judgment, said supporting a militant group like IS was a serious offence as it could destabilise the nation.
“I hope you will change after serving your jail sentence. You must accept the consequences for your action,” he said.
Safuan was charged with giving support to the IS group by pledging loyalty through the Telegram app in a chat group known as “Gagak Hitam” (Black Raven) at his house on Jalan Matahari, U5/102, Seksyen U5, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, at 3.29am on March 30, 2016.
He went by the name “Abu Marwan Salaki”.
The charge, under Section 130 J(1)(a) of the Penal Code, provides for life imprisonment, or jail of not more than 30 years, or a fine upon conviction.
Safuan was also charged with possessing 72 video clips, 19 pictures and 419 documents related to IS in his mobile phone at the parking lot on Jalan Matahari at about 7pm on Oct 6, 2016.
The offence, under Section 130JB (1)(a) of the Penal Code, carries a maximum jail term of seven years or a fine.
The court sentenced Safuan to eight years in prison for the first charge and three years’ jail for the second, with the sentences to run concurrently from the date of his arrest on Oct 6, 2016.
Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Izhanudin Alias prosecuted while Safuan was unrepresented.