Kota Kinabalu: Two men, who were separately charged with drug trafficking, were ordered to enter their defence.
High Court Judicial Commissioner Amelati Parnell made the order on Muhd Tarmizi Wong Abdullah.
The court set March 9 for Tarmizi’s defence.
Tarmizi, 48, was accused of trafficking 1,413.4gm of syabu at 9.30pm on Nov 30, 2020 in front of a loading area of Kg Mempakul, Menumbok, Beaufort.
He had on April 30, 2021 pleaded not guilty to the charge framed under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
The charge carries the death sentence or imprisonment for life and whipping not less than 15 strokes if not sentenced to death, if convicted.
Nine prosecution witnesses were called to testify at the prosecution’s stage.
Meanwhile, High Court Judge Datuk Ismail Brahim ordered Su Seow Huo to enter his defence on a charge of trafficking 77.27gm of syabu.
The court fixed Feb 17 for Su’s defence.
Su allegedly committed the offence at 11.15am on May 16, 2018 at the Security Guard compound area at Hing Tower condominium, Jalan Nosoob in Penampang.
He had on July 4, 2019 claimed trial to the charge.
The prosecution had called five witnesses at the prosecution’s stage.
Deputy Public Prosecutors Azreen Yas Mohamad Ramli and Rozanna Abdul Hadi prosecuted.
Tarmizi was represented by counsel Ram Singh, Kimberly Ye and Chen Wen Jye while Su was represented by counsel PJ Perira and Hairul V. Othman.
The accused were ordered to be remanded further as the charge against them has no provision for bail.
In a similar case, an unemployed Filipino was charged with trafficking 53.54gm of syabu in the Magistrate’s Court.
However, no plea was recorded from Hamid Kalbi, who appeared before Magistrate Jessica Ombou Kakayun after the charge was read out to him.
Hamid was accused of committing the offence at 2.55pm on Jan 5 this year by the roadside of Kg Delima, Manggatal.
The charge is framed under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
The court set Feb 14 for E-review pending the chemist’s report and ordered Hamid to be further remanded.
Inspector Albert Basiri prosecuted.
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