Gun-toting local released on bail
By Rol Ezam

A 60-year-old man who was arrested last Friday for having in his possession two deadly rifles at his house in Temburong was released yesterday by the Magistrate's Court on $3,000 court bail and two local sureties pending further investigations.

Menchok Anak Tarang who works at the Water Pump Station with the Public Works Department in the Temburong district faces a charge of having one rifle measuring 1.33m long and another rifle measuring 1.18m long at his house No. 1143, Kampong Sumbiling Baru, Jalan Batang Duri in Temburong. It is an offence punishable under rule 17(1) of the Arms and Explosive Rules of the Arms and Explosive Act, Chapter 58 for having unlicensed rifles and it carries an imprisonment for a term of not less than 5 years and not more than 15 years, and whipping of not less than 3 strokes and not more than 12 strokes.

The unrepresented defendant first appeared in the Magistrate's Court yesterday to hear the charges but no plea was taken. The case was tried before the Senior Magistrate Hj Abdullah Soefri DSP Hj Abidin, before the case was remitted to the High Court for bail application.

In the High Court, Chief Justice Mohammed Saied granted bail with conditions that he has to report himself to the Bangar Police Station twice a week.

He is due to appear in the Magistrate's Court on January 12 for further mention.

The defendant was arrested during a surprise raid made by the Bangar Police Station at his house where the officers found the rifles hidden in the ceiling of the house beside a few cartons of alcohol that were hidden in his storeroom.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin