(d) The sentence imposed was manifestly excessive or inadequate. [See R v. Ball [1951] 35 Cr App. R 164; Loo Weng Fatt v. Public Prosecutor [2001] 3 SLR 313 at [65]; Public Prosecutor v. U I [2008] 4 SLR (R) 500].” [12] Before us, learned Deputy Public Prosecutor (“DPP”) mounted a spirited attack on the sentence imposed by the learned JC. She vehemently argued that the severity of the offence and the aggravating factors warrants a lengthy custodial sentence. By sentencing the respondent to four years imprisonment for a terrorist related offence which the learned JC himself considered as serious, the learned DPP contended that his Lordship was merely paying lip service to the principle of public interest. It was contended that the learned JC had failed to observe the trend of sentencing in relation to terrorist related offences under Chapter VIA of the Penal Code. She cited the Court of Appeal judgments in PP v. Muhammad Kasyfullah Kassim [2017] 1 CLJ 79, PP v. Muamar Gadaffi bin Mohamad Shafawi (Criminal Appeal No. W-05(H)-87-02/2016), PP v. Rohaimi Abd Rahim & Anor (Criminal Appeal No.: W-05(H)-83-02/2016) for our consideration and comparison. [13] In reply, learned counsel for the respondent submitted that this is not a case that warrants appellate intervention by this Court. It was submitted that the learned JC in imposing the sentence which he did, had correctly applied the principles of law and took into consideration the totality of the facts and circumstances of this case. Learned counsel for the respondent cited the High Court judgments in PP v. Ummi Kalsom Bahak [2015] 7 CLJ 503 and PP v. Mohd Rosmadi Che Daud [2015] MLRHU 1 in support of the proposition that the appellate court should refrain from interfering with sentences imposed by the trial judge. Further, the respondent had pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity. Our Findings [14] It is trite law that the sentence must be proportionate to both the seriousness of the offence and the degree of responsibility of the offender. The concept of proportionality was explained in the Canadian Supreme Court case of R v Ipeelee [2012] SCC13, [2012] 1 SLR 433 in paragraph 37 as follows: “Proportionality is the sine qua non of a just sanction. First, the principle ensures that a sentence reflects the gravity of the offence. This is closely tied to the objective of denunciation. It promotes justice for victims and ensures public confidence in the justice system. … Second, the principle of proportionality ensures that a sentence does not exceed what is appropriate, given the moral blameworthiness of the offender. In this sense, the principles serves a limiting or restraining function and ensures justice for the offender.” [15] The protection of society is one of the important purposes of punishment under the principle of proportionality. In Channon v The Queen [1978] 20 ALR 1, 5, the Court stated: “The necessary and ultimate justification for criminal sanctions is the protection of society from conduct which the law proscribes. Punishment is the means by which society marks its disapproval of criminal conduct, by which warning is given of the consequences of crime and by which reform of an offender can sometimes be assisted. Criminal sanctions are purposive, and they are not inflicted judicially except for the purpose of protecting society; nor to an extent beyond what is necessary to achieve that purpose.” [16] In the same vein, in Sumer Singh v. Surajbhan Singh v Others [2014] 7 SCC 323, the Supreme Court of India, while elaborating on the duty of the court in imposing sentence for an offence, ruled that it is the duty of the court to impose adequate sentence, for one of the purposes of imposition of requisite sentence is protection of society and legitimate response to the collective conscience. The paramount principle that should be the guiding laser beam is that the punishment should be proportionate. It is the answer of law to social conscience. In a way, it is an obligation to the society which has reposed faith on the court of law to curtail the evil. [17] In this instant appeal, the learned JC found that the respondent’s indirect involvement did not justify the imposition of a lengthy sentence. The learned JC also found, in agreeing with learned counsel that the respondent was merely helping out his brother on humanitarian grounds and the money was meant to pay for the medical bills of Wanndy’s pregnant wife. [18] We found it difficult to appreciate this argument. With due respect, the learned JC had improperly minimizes the seriousness of the offence. His Lordship had failed to take judicial notice that IS has been designated a terrorist organisation by the United Nations Security Council and many individual countries. While those who assist in financing terrorism may not be directly involved in the violence and mayhem that characterize terrorist activities, their culpability remains high. The spate of terrorist attacks has continue to rise, and the correlation between such attacks and terrorism financing is quite significant. They require such resources to operate their training facilities, acquire weapons and new adherents; and otherwise to perpetuate their nefarious activities. While the respondent had no direct involvement with the terrorist group, his action carries some risk of indirectly enhancing the abilities of the group. [19] The impact of terrorist activities is explained in the Court of Appeal case of PP v. Yazid Sufaat & Ors [2014] CLJ 670 as follows: "[23] An act of terrorism is a transnational phenomenon. It has no territorial limits. It transcends national borders. For instance, an act of terrorism may be planned or hatched within Malaysia with an intention to execute it outside Malaysia. The intention of SOSMA is, among others, to prevent Malaysia from being used as a terrorist haven. S.Rajendra Babu and GP Marthur JJ in People's Union For Civil Libertties & Anor v. Union of India AIR [2004] SC 456 aptly describe acts of terrorism as follows: 'The terrorist threat that we are facing is now on an unprecedented global scale. Terrorism has become a global threat with global effects. It has become a challenge to the whole community of civilized nations. Terrorist activities in one country take on a transnational character, carrying out attacks across one border, receiving funding from private parties or a government across another, and procuring arms from multiple sources. Terrorism in a single country can readily become a threat to regional peace and security owing to its spill over effects. It is therefore difficult in the present context to draw a sharp distinction between domestic and international terrorism. Many happenings in the recent past caused the international community to focus on the issue of terrorism with renewed intensity'." [20] We associate ourselves with the above sentiments. Indeed, in the recent years, the IS has garnered international attention for its particularly ruthless attacks. It has been operating in Syria and Iraq and it now stands as one of the most dangerous terrorist group. The United Nation’s Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee first listed IS in its Sanctions List under the name “al-Qaeda in Iraq” on 18 October 2004, as an entity or group associated with al-Qaeda. On 2 June 2014, the group was added to its listing under the name “Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant”. Since declaring its caliphate in June 2014, the IS has gone global and conducted hundreds of attacks in various countries other than Iraq and Syria, where its carnage has taken a much deadlier toll. Malaysia is not spared by the menace of IS. Over the past few years, hundreds were arrested by the Malaysian police suspected of having ties to the IS. Intelligence reports indicate that about 200 – 250 Malaysians have arrived in the Middle-East to fight alongside with the IS militants. The growing number of Malaysian IS supporters has led to the first terrorist attack against the country. On the wee hours on 28.6.2016, two attackers had launched a grenade attack at the Movida Bar in Puchong, Selangor and injured several members of the public. The police had confirmed that the attack was orchestrated by Muhammad Wanndy, the respondent’s younger brother who was also responsible for recruiting Malaysians in becoming IS fighters since 2015. [21] The learned JC relied heavily on the case of Ummi Kalsom Bahak (supra) where the accused in that case was sentenced to two years imprisonment for attempting to support the commission of a terrorist act, an offence under section 130J(1)(a) of the Penal Code, read together with section 511 of the same Code. [22] With respect, we found that the reliance on the case of Ummi Kalsom Bahak was misplaced as the case at hand was clearly distinguishable from the former. In Ummi Kalsom Bahak, the accused had planned to travel to Syria and marry one Muhammad Aqif, an IS militant. However, she was arrested at KLIA2 en route to Brunei, Istanbul and Syria. It was an inchoate offence as the offence of giving support to the commission of a terrorist act has yet to be completed, in which case the maximum jail term would be fifteen years; whilst the maximum term applicable to the respondent’s case is twenty years. In our present case, the respondent had followed a systematic plan and executed it meticulously. He collected the money over a period of time and wired small amounts to different individuals in several transactions. He made withdrawals from ATMs at various locations. The respondent had used generic terms such as “pembelian barang” or “goods payment” to ultimately disguise the funds. All these were done discreetly to avoid scrutiny and to prevent potential detection. [23] The amounts involved are not large, but every penny is a contribution to serious harm. Much havoc can be wreaked with inexpensive items. The cost of a terrorist attack can be modest, but the cost to society is far greater. The fundraising depends on people like the respondent who are prepared to facilitate the transactions to and from his bank account which benefited the Syria-based militant Muhammad Wanndy. The respondent’s motives may have had a humanitarian aspect, but it is clear that he was aware that the money that he collected and wired would go to the terrorist group. This was not a case of a vulnerable young person being lured or beguiled into criminal misconduct in which he was not inclined to participate. The respondent was a willing participant and took steps to provide support to the group. [24] The learned High Court Judge appears to have attached considerable weight to the fact that respondent had pleaded guilty. While it is generally accepted that an accused person should be given credit for pleading guilty, there can be no automatic rule that a guilty plea on its own entitles an accused to a lesser punishment. In the case of Bachik Abdul Rahman v. PP [2004] 2 CLJ 572, Augustine Paul JCA (as he then was) stated at pages 583 – 584 as follows: “The circumstances in which a guilty plea will not have any weight are varied. The severity of the offence committed may outweigh the mitigating effect of a guilty plea (see Loh Hock Seng & Anor v. PP [1980] 2 MLJ 13; PP v Oo Leng Swee & Ors [1981] 1 MLJ 247). Where public interest demands effect of a guilty plea must also give way (see Gim Gek Yong v. PP [1995] 1 SLR 537; PP v. Govindnan a/l Chinden Nair [1998] 2 CLJ 370). A guilty plea cannot also be a powerful mitigating factor when effectively no defence to the charge is available to the accused (see PP v. Low Kok Wai [1988] 2 CLJ 105; [1988] 2 CLJ (Rep) 268). If a plea of guilty is made too late in the trial it may also cease to have mitigating effect (see PP v. Dato’ Nallakaruppan Solaimalai [1992] 2 CLJ 596). The absence of mitigating factors in favour of the accused like, for instance, the existence of previous convictions may also deprive the guilty plea of its effect. There can therefore be no automatic rule that a guilty plea on its own entitles an accused to a lesser punishment (see PP v. Tia Ah Leng [2000] 5 CLJ 614). Be that as it may, where there is a departure from the general rule the reason for not treating the guilty plea as a mitigating factor must be reflected in the grounds of judgment (see Tan Lay Chen v. PP [2000] 4 CLJ 492).” [25] We must emphasized that terrorism is a distinct category of criminal activity. It has no equal because it is motivated by rigid and intolerant ideologies, rather than financial gain, anger, or revenge. It is far more insidious in that it attacks our very way of life and seeks to destroy the fundamental values to which we ascribe-values that form the essence of our constitutional democracy. Malaysia has an international obligation to deter terrorism on the world front, and Malaysian courts must assist in fulfilling that obligation by ensuring severe punishment for terrorist offences to reflect the abhorrence and condemnation of the Malaysian community against such crime. [26] We, therefore, are firmly of the view that the severity of the offence herein outweighs the respondent’s plea of guilty. The sentence of four years imprisonment imposed by the learned JC was manifestly inadequate. In this regard, we take note of the observations made by the Indian Supreme Court in the case of Dhananjay Chatterjee @ Dhana v. State of West Bengal [1994] 2 SCC 220 at para 15: “ … Imposition of appropriate punishment is the manner in which the courts respond to the society’s cry for justice against the criminals. Justice demands that courts should impose punishment fitting to the crime so that the courts reflect public abhorrence of the crime. The courts must not only keep in view the rights of the criminal but also the rights of the victim of crime and the society at large while considering imposition of appropriate punishment.” [27] Since the hearing of this appeal, this Court has pronounced several judgments arising from appeals against convictions and sentences in relation to terrorist related offences. In PP v. Muhammad Kasyfullah Kassim [2017] 1 CLJ 79, the accused was convicted for his involvement in the militant movement of the IS. He had undergone militant training, participated in series of battle using firearms against President Bashar Al-Assad’s regime. This Court had increased his term of imprisonment from five years to twelve years. In the case of PP v. Muamar Gadaffi bin Mohamad Shafawi (Criminal Appeal No. W-05(H)-87-02/2016), this Court had tripled the accused’s five years jail term to fifteen years for giving militant training to individuals willing to participate in terrorist activities. He had opened Facebook accounts using the names ‘Iskandar Dzulquranain IS’ and ‘Ammar Rasuli Al-Jihadi’ to spread the ideology of the Daesh terror group. In the case of PP v. Rohaimi Abd Rahim & Anor (Criminal Appeal No.: W-05(H)-83- 02/2016), the 1st accused was sentenced to three years imprisonment for soliciting contributions to benefit the IS through blog Revolusi Islam.com; while the 2nd accused was sentenced to three years imprisonment for conspiring with the 1st accused by allowing his Maybank account to be used in the blog. The duo were also sentenced to two years imprisonment each on a joint charge of arranging to facilitate acquisition and control of property for IS terrorist. This Court had enhanced their prison sentence to fifteen years on each charge, after allowing the prosecution’s appeal for a heavier jail term. [28] Before parting with this instant appeal, perhaps it would be appropriate for us to refer to the case of Mukesh & Anor v. State of NCT of Delhi & Ors (Criminal Appeal Nos: 609-610 of 2017), where the Indian Supreme Court observed: “116. … The courts are consistently faced with the situation where they are required to answer the new challenges and mould the sentence to meet those challenges. Protection of society and deterring the criminal is the avowed object of law. It is expected of the courts to operate the sentencing system as to impose such sentence which reflects the social conscience of the society. While determining sentence in heinous crimes, Judges ought to weigh its impact on the society and impose adequate sentence considering the collective conscience or society’s cry for justice. While considering the imposition of appropriate punishment, courts should not only keep in view the rights of the criminal but also the rights of the victim and the society at large.” Conclusion [29] For the foregoing reasons, we are compelled to set aside the sentence imposed by the learned JC because the imprisonment sentence of four years was grossly and entirely inadequate taking into account the nature of the offence, the manner in which it was planned and committed and the motive for the commission of the offence. We, therefore, allowed the prosecution’s appeal and set aside the sentence imposed by the High Court and substituted it with an imprisonment of eight years with effect from the date of arrest. So ordered. Dated: 22nd January 2018 sgd. (DATO’ SETIA MOHD ZAWAWI SALLEH) Judge Court of Appeal Malaysia Counsel for the Appellant: Dhiya Syazwani Izyan binti Mohd Akhir Deputy Public Prosecutor Appellate and Trial Division Attorney General’s Chambers Putrajaya. Counsel for the Respondent: Arik Zakri bin Abdul Kadir The Chambers of Arik & Kamal Advocates & Solicitors 20-2, Jalan 8/35 Seri Bangi Seksyen 8, 43650 Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor.