A former soldier pleads not guilty to five counts of unlawful possession of firearms including rifles and ammunition in Kangar.
KANGAR: A former soldier pleaded not guilty in the Magistrate’s Court here today to five counts of unlawful possession of firearms.
Suhaimi Che Din, 49, entered the plea before Magistrate Ana Rozana Mohd Nor.
On the first count, he is charged with possessing a CZ 457 Premium .22R rifle together with a magazine containing two rounds of .22R calibre ammunition at an orchard in Kampung Wang Pisang, near Taman Beseri Jaya, Beseri, near Padang Besar, at about 12.45 am on July 5.
The charge was framed under Section 8 of the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 14 years and whipping of not fewer than six strokes upon conviction.
For the second and third charges, Suhaimi is accused of possessing four air rifles—namely an Umarex Gauntlet 2, Model X-1, Greyhound T-Rex Bullpup and Sharp Tiger—as well as 21 rounds of 12-bore buckshot ammunition and 300 rounds of .22 Rimfire (RF) Long Rifle ammunition at the same location, date and time.
Both charges were brought under Section 8(a) of the Arms Act 1960, which provides for imprisonment of up to seven years, a fine of up to RM10,000, or both, upon conviction.
He also faces a fourth charge under Section 36(1) of the Arms Act 1960 for allegedly possessing four imitation air rifles of the Greyhound Model AP900 and three homemade air rifles at the same location.
The offence carries a penalty of imprisonment for up to one year, a fine not exceeding RM5,000, or both, upon conviction.
On the fifth count, Suhaimi is accused of possessing 137 rounds of various types of ammunition without lawful authority at an apartment here at about 5.30 am on July 5.
The charge was also brought under Section 8(a) of the Arms Act 1960.
He was not allowed bail and the court set Aug 20 for mention and for the transfer of four of the five charges back to the Sessions Court.
The four charges were supposed to be read out at the Sessions Court, but the proceedings were held before Magistrate Ana Rozana as the presiding Sessions Court judge was on leave.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Alia Suzila Chek Pi appeared for the prosecution, while lawyer Zuhair Ahmad Zakuan represented Suhaimi.
