ELEVEN men pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court in Kuala Terengganu today to charges related to a cock fight in June.

Md Asyraf Zuhairy Md Zainudin, 37; Mohamad Fakro Riduan Sidek, 26; Muhammad Amir Asyraf Zakaria, 27; Muhamad Hazimin Hasbollah, 27; Syed Safanizam Syed Yahya, 33; Mohd Noorsyaiful Zaidi Sulong, 32; Mohd Kamal Gani, 30; Mohd Afiq Che Awang, 36; Mohd Faizal Jusoh, 40; Mohammad Hakim Iskandar Zaidi, 24; and Wan Muhammad Shafiq Wan Ibrahim, 23, all denied being present at an animal fight without lawful authority or reasonable excuse.

The men – either self-employed or odd-job workers, and village workers – were accused of being at a chicken coop in Kampung Pengkalan Rajawali, Chendering, at 2.30am on 10 June.

They were charged under section 32(2)(a) of the Animal Welfare Act 2015, read together with section 34 of the penal code, which provides for a maximum fine of RM100,000 or imprisonment for up to three years or both, if found guilty.

Judge Nooriah Osman allowed them bail of RM5,000 with one surety each and set September 13 for mention.

Mohd Shahihan Mohd Tahar from the Terengganu Veterinary Department prosecuted, while the defendants were represented by lawyer Azmi Ahmad. – Bernama, August 9, 2022.