Ex-diplomat, son charged with drug trafficking
Zainal Abidin Alias and Mohamed Rizal were hauled before the Bentong Magistrate's Court this morning to face a charge of trafficking in cannabis oil.
A former diplomat and his son face the possibility of the death penalty for alleged drug trafficking.
Zainal Abidin Alias and Mohamed Rizal were hauled before the Bentong Magistrate's Court this morning to face a charge of trafficking in cannabis oil.
The duo's counsel, Rahmat Hazlan, confirmed the fresh charge when contacted.
According to the online cause list on the judiciary's website, their names were listed for the case before the lower court today.
Earlier today, Zainal voluntarily surrendered himself and appeared before the magistrate's court following his release from remand last Saturday.
When read out to them by a court interpreter, the father and son indicated they understood the drug-trafficking charge under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
The duo pleaded not guilty to a charge of keeping cannabis oil per Section 9(1)(b) of the Act.
Rizal also claimed trial to an additional charge under Section 15 of the Act for using THC (the active component of marijuana).
The offence of drug trafficking under Section 39B is punishable with the death penalty or life imprisonment upon conviction.
In contrast, the offence of consumption of drugs under Section 15 carries a maximum penalty of two years in jail, or a RM5,000 fine, if found guilty.
According to the charge sheet, the duo allegedly committed the offence of trafficking 1,020 grammes of ganja at Lot 5718 (Bayu Bukit Hijau), Kg Sum Sum Hilir Janda Baik, Bentong, Pahang, around 6.10pm on May 21.
Regarding the offence of keeping cannabis oil, the two were accused of having committed the offence with 60ml of the oil at the same location, at the same time and day.
Concerning the other charge of THC self-administration, Rizal was alleged to have committed the offence at the Narcotics unit at Bentong police headquarters around 8.40pm on May 23.
Magistrate Shahrul Ekhsan Hasim fixed June 13 for mention of the case against the duo.
Under the law for drug trafficking charges per Section 39B, the accused's plea is not taken at the Magistrate's Court.
The lower court will later transfer the case to the High Court, whereby the father and son would be asked for their plea to the drug-trafficking charge.
The prosecution team was led by Pahang state director of prosecution Mohammad Khalid.
Counsel Tania Scivetti and Kamil Azman represented the father and son.
Malaysiakini reported yesterday that the duo issued a letter of representation to the Attorney-General over the case.
A letter of representation is where a party proposes a way to resolve a legal matter, such as via no charges being levied or for a lesser charge being put forward.
The former diplomat was detained during a police raid on his house on May 21.
The police arrested his son in Shah Alam, Selangor, two days later.
However, the ex-ambassador was released from custody on May 28 when the Bentong Magistrate's Court denied the police's application for an extension of remand.
The authorities, however, received a green light from the lower court for a remand extension against the son until June 4.
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
This action cannot be undone.