KUALA LUMPUR, March 18 — A local actor facing two drug charges finally secured a release pending trial after the magistrate agreed today to reduce his bail sum to RM5,000.
‘Benjy’, whose real name is Khaeryll Benjamin Ibrahim, 37, had on March 11 pleaded not guilty to the charges but was further remanded after failing to post bail.
Magistrate Nur A’minahtul Mardiah Md Noor had set RM6,500 as bail with one surety.
When the case was brought for mention today, counsel Farhan Read mitigated for a lower bail and two sureties; he said the accused’s fiancee and his foster brother were only able to fork out RM5,000.
The magistrate considered counsel’s request and set the sum at RM5,000 with two sureties.
Benjy stands accused on two counts of possession of 9.33g and 3.33g of methamphetamine respectively, at The Reeds Boutique Hotel, No 9 Jalan Yap Ah Shak, Dang Wangi here, at 9.30pm on March 5.
He allegedly committed the offences with Julia Ernie Jamaludin, 26.
The charges are framed under Section 12(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, punishable under Section 12(3), and read with Section 34 of the Penal Code.
The duo face a fine of not more than RM100,000 or up to five years’ imprisonment each, if found guilty.
Nur A’minahtul Mardiah set April 14 for mention.
Deputy public prosecutor Noor Svetlana Mohd Noor Nordin represented the prosecution. — Bernama
