Illegal occupation of forest land, retired soldier ordered to enter defence

TAIPING: The Sessions Court here today ordered a retired army personnel to enter his defence on a charge of occupying land in a permanent reserved forest without a permit.
Judge Mohd Sabri Ismail made the order after finding that the prosecution had succeeded in establishing a prima facie case against A.Raman (rpt: Raman) Hashim, 51.
The court set Sept 1 to hear the matter.
A.Raman, from Jalan Bukit Merah, Bagan Serai, was charged with a few others with illegally occupying land in the Pondok Tanjung Permanent Reserved Forest, near Gunong Semanggol, Kerian between June 8 and Sept 21, 2014.
The charge, under Section 32(1) of the National Forestry Act 1984, provides a fine not exceeding RM50,000 or imprisonment for up to five years, or both, if found guilty.
The prosecution was conducted by deputy public prosecutor Safiyatun Ahmadun, while A. Raman was represented by lawyer Mustafa Ghazali. — Bernama