KLUANG, Aug 26 — A used car dealer pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here today to a charge of possessing a firearm without a valid licence earlier this month.

How Han Wei, 33, entered the plea after the charge was read out to him before Judge Hanie Dzatul Akhmar Zulkefli.

According to the charge sheet, How was alleged to have been in possession of a Smith & Wesson pistol without lawful authorisation at a house in Jalan Indah 2/10, Taman Kluang Indah, at about 6.30 pm on Aug 6.

He was charged under Section 8 of the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971, which carries a maximum jail term of 14 years and not less than six strokes of the cane upon conviction.

The prosecution was conducted by deputy public prosecutor Siti Nurfara Fazilun Izylin Ahmad, while How was represented by lawyer Yvonne Kee.

No bail was granted as the offence is non-bailable. The court fixed Sept 28 for mention of the case for the submission of documents.

How, together with three other men, was previously charged at the Batu Pahat Magistrate’s Court on Aug 17 with murdering a businessman earlier this month.

Earlier this month, How was among five suspects arrested after a 39-year-old man’s body was found floating in Sungai Tanjung Sembrong, Parit Raja.

Initial investigations found that the victim was believed to have been strangled with a rope before being taken in a vehicle, with his hands tied using adhesive tape and his body wrapped in a net.

The victim was reported missing by his wife on July 29, while his family only found his vehicle in Johor Bahru. — Bernama