By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, April 20: A jobless man pleaded not guilty to a charge of possessing a pistol without a license and owning a police uniform.
Chia Lee Shang, from Siburan, was charged at the Sessions Court and the Magistrate’s Court, respectively, where he pleaded not guilty to the two charges framed against him.
Sessions Court Judge Musli Abdul Hamid fixed May 22 for case management and ordered the accused to be further remanded at the Puncak Borneo prison as the offense is a non-bailable offense.
He was found to have been in unlawful possession of a pistol at a parking space in front of a hotel located in King Center, at about 11.30pm on April 12.
He was charged under Section 8 of the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971, which carries a maximum of 14 years’ imprisonment and whipping of not less than six strokes upon conviction.
During the day of the incident, a police team inspected the accused and found a pistol near his waist. The police also found a police uniform with a police badge in the accused’s car without a valid reason.
Further investigation found that the accused was not a police officer. He was charged under Section 89(a) of the Police Act 1967 and punishable under Section 94 of the same Act, which carries a maximum fine of RM500 or imprisonment not exceeding six months, or both upon conviction.
Senior Assistant Court Registrar Sandy Yvette Freddy fixed May 25 for mention of the case. Deputy Public Prosecutor Norshafatihah Nor Azmi and Inspector Merylene Lindan Andrew Mang prosecuted while the accused was unrepresented by counsel. — DayakDaily
