KOTA BARU: The Sessions Court has fixed Dec 8 and 9 for the trial of travel agency manager Hafizul Hawari, who faces seven charges including possession of firearms.
Judge Zulkifli Abdullah set the trial dates and announced that lawyers may submit representations before the proceedings begin.
The case will be handled by Deputy Public Prosecutor Ahmad Faiz Fitri Mohamad, while Hafizul is represented by lawyer Nik Mohd Faris Syazwan Zainuzzaman.
Earlier, Ahmad Faiz Fitri stated that the prosecution had not received any instructions to transfer the case to Selangor. Nik Mohd Faris Syazwan requested a date for representation.
The court then set Dec 8 and 9 for the trial at the Kota Baru Sessions Court.
Previously, Hafizul was charged on Apr 15 at the Sessions Court with seven offenses, including firearm possession. The defendant requested a trial for all charges read before Judge Nik Habri Muhamad.
On the first charge, Hafizul was accused of possessing a Glock 19 pistol, under Section 8 of the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971 [Act 37], which provides a sentence of up to 14 years in prison and a minimum of six lashes of the cane, if convicted.
The second charge is for possessing 33 rounds of PMC 380 AUTO ammunition without a valid license, under Section 8(a) of the Firearms Act 1960, which carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison or a fine not exceeding RM10,000, or both if convicted.
For the third charge, Hafizul was accused of possessing a clear plastic package containing ball-shaped firecrackers without a permit, under Section 8 of the Explosives Act 1957, punishable under the same act, which carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison or a fine of RM10,000, or both upon conviction.
On the fourth, fifth, and sixth counts, he was charged with possession of three identification cards belonging to three individuals aged 29, 34, and 35, respectively, under Regulation 25(1)(o) of the National Registration Regulations 1990.
All the offences were allegedly committed in a Honda Civic car in the compound of a private hospital here at around 3pm on Apr 15.
On the seventh count, Hafizul was alleged to be driving a white Honda Civic car with a fake registration number, which violates Section 108(3)(f) of the Road Transport Act 1987 and faces a maximum fine of RM20,000 or imprisonment for up to five years, or both upon conviction.