A bodyguard pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here today to five charges of attempted murder of five individuals using a firearm last year.

Ja'afar Halid, 38, was accused of attempting to murder by shooting K. Arivani, 33, on the head; Nurul Huda Ab Aziz, 38, on the shoulder; Lee Hong Boon, 56, on the left of his chest; Mohamad Amirul Amin Mohamed Amer, 28, on the left of the chest; and Puah Bee Joo, 32, on the shoulder.

He was charged with committing the act at the entry ramp to Penang Bridge from Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway, here, between 7.15pm and 7.30pm on Dec 1, 1ast year.

The accused was charged under Section 307 of the Penal Code for each of the offences which provides for imprisonment up to 20 years upon conviction.

Earlier, (while in court on Dec 14), Ja'afar's confession was not recorded based on his mental health state and he was ordered to undergo mental health examination at Hospital Bahagia in Ulu Kinta, Perak for a month.

Judge Roslan Hamid then set April 24 for re-mention of the case for the accused to appoint a counsel as well as the submission of documents. Deputy public prosecutors Nurul Huda Idris and Lim Saw Sim appeared for the prosecution.

Meanwhile, at the Magistrate's Court 1, the court set April 24 for re-mention of three murder charges against Ja'afar with DPP Nurul Fatin Hussin prosecuting.

Ja'afar was charged with the murder of his employer, Datuk Ong Teik Kwong, 32, and two other individuals, Choi Hoi Ming, 32, and Senthil Murugiah, 38, using a firearm at the same place, time and date.

For each of the offences, Ja'afar was charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code which carries the mandatory death sentence if found guilty.

At another court, Magistrate Sharifah Izura Syed Mashor also set April 24 for re-mention of the case of causing hurt against Ja'afar, with DPP Noor Azura Zulkiflee prosecuting.

Ja'afar was accused of causing injuries to Lim Boon Leng, 33, by butting him on the head with a firearm at the same place, time and date.

He was charged under Section 324 of the Penal Code which provides for a jail term of up to 20 years or a fine or whipping, or any two of the penalties, upon conviction.

-- BERNAMA