KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 — Actor Khaeryll Benjamin Ibrahim, better known as Benjy, today pleaded not guilty in the Ampang magistrate’s court to anamended charge of possessing drugs, allegedly committed in June.

Also pleading not guilty were his four friends, Imran Radzi, 32, married couple Asmanizam Mohamed Akhir, 32, and Norazila Arzami, 27, and Afifi Hamidi, 27.

Magistrate Ayuni Izzaty Sulaiman maintained bail at RM3,800 in one surety for each of the five and fixed this October 11 for case mention.

Another friend, Zain Amir Zainal Khairi, 37, who pleaded guilty to the amended charge, was fined RM4,000 or two months’ jail in default. He paid the fine.

They were jointly charged with having in possession a bag containing 2.99g of methamphetamine at Oakleaf Park Condo, C Block, Persiaran Bukit Jaya, Taman Bukit Jaya, Hulu Kelang at 11.30am on June 26, this year.

The offence under Section 12(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 carries a jail sentence of up to five years and a fine not exceeding RM100,000.

Previously, they faced the same charge but the weight of the drug was different, at 4.7g, and DPP Goh Ai Rene today made the amendment.

Earlier, counsel P.G. Cyril, representing Zain Amir, asked for a lenient sentence as his client had a family to support, had no previous criminal record and had fully cooperated with the police, besides pleading guilty, thus saving the court’s time.

Goh, however, asked for a deterrent sentence for the accused due to the worsening drug problem. — Bernama