A police lance corporal today claimed trial for desertion at the Kuching Magistrates' Court in Sarawak.

According to Borneo Post, Zulkarnain Ahmad, 33, was absent from May 23 to Aug 1 this year (70 days).

He was charged under Section 86(1) of the Police Act 1967 for desertion which carries a maximum 12-month jail term.

Under this law, any police personnel who, without reasonable cause, is absent from work for a continuous period of 21 days shall be deemed to have deserted.

The report said Zulkarnain was sent a show cause letter on his absence from work but did not provide a reply.

This led to a report being lodged by the Integrity and Standards Compliance Department.

Magistrate Zubaidah Sharkawi released Zulkarnain on bail, which was set at RM1,500.