KUALA LUMPUR, April 27 ― The founder of restaurant franchise Nyonya Colours was yesterday charged in the Petaling Jaya Magistrate's Court, on five counts of drug possession, Utusan Malaysia reported.

Loh Sim Seng, 56, was charged with possessing 30.32 grammes of various drugs, in a house in Casa Tropicana, in January.

Loh and his friend Ong Peck Hwee, 55, who was jointly charged for the same offence, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them, in front of Justice Nurulhuda Zakariya.

The daily reported that for the first to fourth charges, the duo were accused on possessing 0.31g of ketamine, 0.02g of erimin, 2.49g of methamphetamine and 0.45g of ecstasy.

Loh and Ong were charged under Section 12(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, and are also punishable under Section 12(3) of the same law, which imposes a maximum jail sentence of five years, or a maximum of RM100,000 in fine.

For the fifth charge, the duo were accused of possessing 27.05g of methamphetamine, on the same day, date and venue.

They were charged under Section 12(2), and also punishable under Section 39A(1) of the same law, which imposes a maximum five year jail term, and five strokes of caning.

The accused were charged with committing all the said offences in Casa Tropicana, Persiaran Tropicana, Jalan PJU 3, at 7.30pm, on January 21.

The report said the court allowed a RM9,000 bail for both Loh and Ong, with one surety, and fixed June 11 for case mention.