KOTA KINABALU: A logging company charged with seven counts of using unregistered machinery will stand trial next month and September.
Sessions Court Judge Ummu Khaltom Abd Samad today fixed the trial dates on Aug 25 to Aug 26, and Sept 21 to Sept 23, for Maxland Sdn Bhd.
The company, through its representative, pleaded not guilty to all the charges against it on March 5, last year.
On the first to seven counts, the company had allegedly used seven machines that were not registered with the Forest Conservator Chief for logging purposes.
The alleged offence took place at noon on Aug 24, 2018 at stumping area FMU 5, Aneka Desiran in Trusmadi Forest Reserve, Ranau.
The offence, under Section 20B(1) of the Forest Rules 1969 and punishable under Section 20B(9)(1) of the same rules, provides for a jail term of up to 12 months and a fine on conviction.
Counsel Ronny Cham represented the company.
In March this year, Maxland and another logging company were discharged and acquitted from illegal logging on forest reserve and state land in Tongod district, between 2016 and 2017.
They were cleared from the charges after the Sessions Court in Sandakan ruled that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt against the companies.
Meanwhile, in a separate case, a 30-year-old man claimed trial to causing grievous hurt to his sibling using a knife.
Mohamad Firdaus Arbi pleaded not guilty to committing the offence, at 6.30pm on March 8, this year, at a house in Kampung Pasir Putih, Putatan.
He was charged under Section 326 of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term of up to 20 years, a fine and whipping on conviction.
Sessions Court Judge Elsie Primus fixed Aug 3 for pre-trial case management.
Deputy public prosecutor Tham Pou Jin prosecuted. Firdaus, who is currently in remand, was not represented.