Gun-toting locals plead not guilty
By Rol Ezam 

Eight gun-toting locals pleaded not guilty to all three charges of having in their possession 3 rifles, each measuring 4 feet 6 inches long, at the Magistrate's Court yesterday. Three sons of Hj Ahim's, Johaimi, Jumat and Umar with Ali Hassan bin Hj Halid, Yusmadi bin Hj Yussof, Hj Saparudin bin Hj Abidin, Rahman bin Hj Khamis were collectively represented by Mr Biji Kumar, while Roslin Hj Abdullah was represented by Mr Yusof Halim.

All of the defendants will again appear in the Intermediate Court at an unspecified date, due to an application made yesterday by Prosecuting Officer Hj Afif Daraina PD Haji Badaruddin for the case to be remitted.

This is pending a Magistrate's Court order. The Magistrate's Court has no jurisdiction to deal with this kind of offence.

The presiding Magistrate, Muhammad Faisal Pehin Hj Keiflie also extended their court bail by one additional month, to June 10 this year.

All of the eight defendants were caught in the vicinity of Ujung Jalan, Kampong Belaban, Benutan in the Tutong District for possessing the said arms without a license issued by the licensing officer, thereby breaching rule 2 of the Arms and Explosives Rules of the Arms and Explosive Act, Chapter 58.

All are facing the penalty of imprisonment and whipping with a maximum sentence that stipulates 15 years and 12 strokes, the minimum sentence being 5 years and 3 strokes.

Courtesy of Sunday Bulletin