Backhoe drivers face trespass charges

Two backhoe drivers pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here today to trespassing on government forest reserve land in Bukit Perak, Pendang in March. Zainuddin Salleh, 47, and Nazarudin Arshad, 43, of Kampung Sawa Besar and Kampung Pisang in Pendang were accused of illegally clearing forest reserve land Bukit Perak, Mukim Padang Peliang, Pendang on March 5 and 6. They were charged under Section 81(1)(e) of the National Forestry Act 1984 and face up to three years jail or a maximum of RM10,000 or both, upon conviction. Deputy public prosecutors Nur Idayu Amir and Siti Khadijah Mohd Pisol from the Kuala Lumpur Forestry Department head quarters conducted the prosecution, while both the accused were unrepresented. Judge Mohd Sabri Osman set bail at RM4,000 with one surety each and fixed August 26 for mention pending appointment of defence counsel.