A FORMER diplomat and his son are charged with trafficking in cannabis (ganja) and possessing cannabis oil at the magistrates’ court in Bentong, Pahang, today.

Zainal Abidin Alia, 78, and Mohamed Rizal, 53, are both charged with trafficking 1,020g of cannabis at a house in Kampung Sum Sum Hilir, Janda Baik, at about 6.10pm on May 21.

The charge is framed under section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the mandatory death sentence upon conviction.

No plea is recorded as the case is under the jurisdiction of the High Court.

The father-son duo are also charged with possessing 60ml of cannabis oil under section 9(1)(b) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, punishable under section 9(2) of the same Act, at the same place and time.

They face imprisonment of up to five years or a fine of up to RM20,000, or both, upon conviction.

Rizal also faces a third charge for allegedly misusing tetrahydrocannabinol at the Bentong police headquarters at 8.40pm on May 23.

He pleads not guilty to the charge under section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, punishable under section 15 (1) of the same Act.

The charge carries imprisonment of up to two years or a fine of up to RM5,000, and supervision for up to three years.

Pahang prosecution director Mohammad Khalid Ab Karim, deputy public prosecutors Hayda Faridzal Abu Hassan and S. Punitha prosecuted, while lawyers Rahmad Hazlan, Tania Scivetti and Kamil Azman represented the accused.

The prosecution did not offer any bail as the charge is non-bailable. – Bernama, June 3, 2022.