Jobless man denies trespassing on palace grounds

JOHOR BARU: An unemployed man pleaded not guilty at a magistrate’s court here to trespassing on the Istana Bukit Serene grounds and causing damage to the palace garage totalling about RM20,000.

Sanusi Mohammad (pic), 31, claimed trial to committing the acts as well as a drug offence before magistrate Siti Hajar Ali.

For the first charge, Sanusi, of Kampung Melayu, Gelang Patah, was accused of entering Istana Bukit Serene under Section 5(1) of the Prohibited Areas and Prohibited Places Act 1959 (Act 289), which is also punishable under Section 7 of the same Act.

The accused faces a second charge of causing damage to the palace garage amounting to about RM20,000, under Section 427 of the Penal Code, which carries up to five years’ jail or fine or both upon conviction.

For the third charge, Sanusi is accused of consuming amphetamine and methamphetamine at the Johor Baru south district police headquarters, under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

If found guilty, he may be fined not more than RM5,000 or jailed not more than two years.

The offences are alleged to have been committed on March 1 at 12.30pm, 12.49pm and 5pm respectively.

The court set bail at RM9,000 with one surety and set April 2 for next mention.

Sanusi, who failed to post bail, was taken to Ulu Choh Remand Centre.