Four more members of an Islamic cult were given 10 years in prison Thursday, on charges of preparing to wage war against the government.

Six other members of the A1-Ma'unah sect who pleaded guilty to similar charges last month received the same sentence.

A court resumed the trial of 19 remaining suspects on heavier charges of treason and attempting to overthrow Malaysia's king. Those defendants face life imprisonment or death by hanging if found guilty.

In September, 29 defendants were charged with waging war against the king. After three months in court, prosecutors offered to reduce charges for 16 suspects who had allegedly played smaller roles in the abortive coup to merely preparing to wage war against the government.

Only 10 defendants, including the four who were sentenced Thursday, accepted the offer. Lawyers said most of the ten will appeal to a higher court for a lesser sentence as they say they were not involved in any violence.

(Xinhuanet 2001/01/18)