Perak rep pleads not guilty to drug abuse charge

A Perak assemblyperson pleaded not guilty to a drug use charge at the Magistrate’s Court In Bukit Mertajam today.

Charged under Section 15 (1) (a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, Pasit Bedamar representative Terence Naidu faces a fine not more than RM5,000 or a jail term of not more than two years.

Terence, 53, was charged with committing the offence at the Seberang Perai Central police headquarters on Jan 14 at about 12.13am, after testing positive for methamphetamine.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge in the court proceeding, presided by magistrate Nurul Rasyidah Mohd Akit.

Deputy public prosecutor Khairul Anuar Abdul Halim prosecuted, while Ramkarpal Singh and RSN Rayer defended Terence.

The prosecution requested bail to be set at RM5,000, but Ramkarpal urged the magistrate to consider that he was a lawyer and an assemblyperson who had to serve his constituents.

“He has cooperated with the police since the day of his arrest, and Terence is not a flight risk," said Ramkarpal, who is also Bukit Gelugot MP, in mitigation.

Meanwhile, Rayer requested the magistrate to instruct the police not to handcuff Terence once bail was set, as this was the court's procedure.

“Please place my client in the public gallery, not in the court holding cell,” Rayer said.

“Kindly consider this request as Terence has been diligently reporting to the Bukit Mertajam police monthly as per conditions of his police bail granted to him earlier this year,” added the Jelutong MP.

Nurul Rasyidah set bail at RM4,000 with one surety and May 17 for case management to allow the handover of relevant documents.

Later, Ramkarpal told the media that the case was an opportunity for his client to clear his name.

“Terence stands a good chance because lab reports proved that he is negative for drug use,” said Ramkarpal. - Mkini