A TOTAL of 40 people, including 35 foreign nationals, were charged at the Sessions Court in Baling today for trespassing on the Bukit Enggang Forest Reserve in Sik, in January.

Two Malaysian men, 21 and 54, plead not guilty to the charges read separately against them.

No plea was recorded from two other local men and one woman, aged 57 to 60, as they did not understand the charges read in Malay.

There were no pleas recorded from the 31 Myanmar nationals, two Chinese and Nepali men, all aged 18 to 50, as they also could not understand Malay.

They were all charged with entering Bukit Enggang Forest Reserve, specifically Compartment 12, without possessing entry permits between 9pm on January 31 to 3am the following day under subsection 47(1) of the National Forestry Act 1984.

If found guilty, they can be fined no more than RM10,000 or jailed for up to three years or both.

The court allowed the five Malaysians bail of RM5,000 each with one surety.

Both Chinese nationals were allowed bail of RM7,000 each with two sureties, and were ordered to hand their passports over to the court.

The 31 Myanmar nationals and two Nepalis were not eligible for bail as they were in custody for not possessing valid travel documents.

The court set June 11 for next mention of the case. – Bernama, April 13, 2023.