A FORMER diplomat and his son pleaded not guilty in Raub Sessions Court today to planting 102 ganja plants.

Zainal Abidin Alias, 78, and Mohamed Rizal, 53, were charged with committing the offence at a house in Kampung Sum-Sum Hilir, Janda Baik, Bentong, at 6.10pm on May 21.

The charge, under section 6B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and read together with section 34 of the penal code, provides for life imprisonment and six strokes of the rotan upon conviction.

Pahang Prosecution director Mohammad Khalid Ab Karim and Deputy Public Prosecutors Hayda Faridzal Abu Hassan and Anisah Pisol appeared for the prosecution, while the defendants were represented by lawyer Rahmat Hazlan.

During the proceedings, the prosecution said bail had been denied, while Rahmat said his clients had sent a representation to the Attorney-General’s Chambers on June 2.

Judge Ahmad Faizadh Yahaya adjourned the case till July 22.

On Friday, the father and son were charged at the Magistrate’s Court in Bentong for trafficking ganja and possessing cannabis oil.

Rizal also faced a third charge for allegedly misusing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) at the narcotics office of Bentong district police headquarters at 8.40pm on May 23. – Bernama, June 8, 2022.