Lawyers for an ex-diplomat have sent a letter of representation for him to be spared being charged in court over the alleged cultivation of 102 cannabis plants at his home in Janda Baik, Pahang.
The letter to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) also seeks for his son to be charged in court for a lesser offence.
The defence counsel for the father and son, Rahmat Hazlan, confirmed with Malaysiakini that the letter of representation was sent this afternoon.
“We have just sent a representation letter to the Attorney-General, seeking to not charge the former ambassador and (for a) more lenient charge for the son.
“The letter has also been CC (carbon copy or emailed to other people) to the prime minister, some ministers, and MPs (members of Parliament) who are part of the marijuana caucus,” the lawyer said.
In October last year, it was reported that lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have banded together to form a bipartisan caucus to study regulations and form policies for the medical use of marijuana and ketum.
The caucus consists of nine members and is chaired by Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman - who has been advocating for medical marijuana use in the recently concluded Parliament sitting.
The other members are Azalina Othman Said (BN-Pengerang), Khalid Samad (Pakatan Harapan-Shah Alam), Dr Xavier Jayakumar (Independent-Kuala Langat), Darell Leiking (Warisan-Penampang), Dr Kelvin Yii (Harapan-Bandar Kuching), Dr Azman Ismail (Harapan-Kuala Kedah), Lukanisman Awang Sauni (GPS-Sibuti), and Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (PN-Pasir Mas).
The former diplomat was detained during a police raid on his house on May 21.
The police later arrested his son in Shah Alam, Selangor, six days later.
However, the ex-ambassador was released from custody on May 28 when the Bentong Magistrate’s Court denied the police’s application for an extension of remand.
The authorities however received a green light from the lower court for a remand extension against the son until June 4.
Pahang police chief Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf was reported as saying the 78-year-old former diplomat learnt techniques to plant and process cannabis via YouTube videos, while the seeds were obtained from compressed cannabis bought in Kuala Lumpur seven years ago.
Reportedly the biggest bust of its kind, Ramli said the suspect, during initial investigations, admitted to planting cannabis since 2015 on a two-hectare plot of land in Janda Baik.
He also reportedly admitted to mixing drops of liquid marijuana into his drinks for the past three years, although he tested negative for the substance during a urine test.
However, his son tested positive for marijuana and reportedly admitted to have been taking the substance since 2013.
Police are investigating the case under Section 39B, Section 6B, and Section 6 of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
The offence of drug trafficking under Section 39B is punishable with the death penalty or life imprisonment upon conviction.
In contrast, the offence of drug possession under Section 6 carries a maximum penalty of five years in jail, a RM20,000 fine, or both if found guilty.
Meanwhile, the offence of cultivating drug-related plants, such as opium, under Section 6B is punishable with life imprisonment and whipping of at least six strokes. - Mkini
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