Labourer denies possessing cannabis

KOTA KINABALU: A 23-yearold labourer claimed trial at the Sessions Court here yesterday to possessing 92.93 grams of cannabis.

Mohd Iszwandy Tahir was charged before judge Azreena Aziz under Section 12(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and punishable under Section 39A(2) of the same Act.

The indictment carries a life imprisonment or for a term which shall not be less than five years and shall also be punished with whipping of not less than 10 strokes.

He was alleged to have committed the offence at a house in Jalan Tanjung Aru Lama, at 12.20am on March 11.

In the bail application, Mohd Iszwandy through his counsel, Mohamad Al Hafiz, informed the court that the accused has medical condition which requires him to go for a regular check-up every week at the hospital.

However, deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Nur Syafiqah Suleiman objected to bail as the offence is non-bailable.

The court fixed May 15-17 this year for trial and ordered the accused to be further detained in custody, pending disposal of the case.

Mohamad Al Hafiz stood in for Amli Nohin.

In another courtroom, another man was charged with a similar offence, that of possessing 54.5 grams of cannabis.

However, no plea was taken from Mohamad Hafiz Abdul Samad, who appeared before registrar Danny Buaya, pending his chemistry report.

He was alleged to have possessed the drugs at a staircase near a convenience shop in Asia City here at 11pm on March 10.

The registrar fixed April 25 this year for re-mention and Mohamad Hafiz, who was not represented, to be further detained in custody, pending disposal of the case.