A taxi driver linked with the murder of Ambank founder Hussain Ahmad Najadi was sentenced to 14 years’ jail and six strokes of the rotan after he was found guilty to two counts of possessing a pistol and four live bullets.

Sessions Court Judge Azwarnida Affandi handed down 10 years’ jail and six strokes of the rotan against Chew Siang Chee, 45, for the possession of the pistol and another four years for the possession of the live bullets.

Azwarnida made the decision after the prosecution managed to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt and ordered Chew to serve the jail sentences consecutively from the day of his arrest on July 30, 2013.

In her judgment, the judge said the defence had displayed a bare denial, which was inherently improbable and merely an afterthought.

“The accused’s testimony suspecting another individual named Ah Kwan to be the one who placed the pistol and bullets in the mail box was merely a speculation,” Azwarnida said.

Besides, she said the prosecution’s sixth witness, Sergeant Chiam Swee Guan, seventh witness Insp Looi Ah Meng and eighth witness investigating officer ASP Tonny Lunggan were credible witnesses.

“There’s no reason for the witnesses to make up their statements. Those statements were consistent and supportive of each other,” she said.

Chew was charged with possession of the pistol and the four live bullets found in a letter box at B-15-2, Kondominium Desa Cindaimas, Jalan Sekutu Off Jalan Kuchai Lama, Brickfields, at 5.45pm on Aug 3, 2013.

The first charge under Section 8 of the Firearms Act (Heavier Penalties) 1971 provides a maximum jail term of 14 years and no less than six strokes of the rotan, while the second charge under Section 8(a) of the Firearms Act 1960, provides for a maximum jail term of seven years, or a fine of not more than RM10,000 or both.

Deputy public prosecutor Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin appeared for the prosecution, while Chew was represented by lawyer R Ramesh.

The prosecution called nine witnesses, while the defence only called Chew, throughout the trial.

- Bernama