Car painter charged with possession of counterfeit money

KUANTAN, Oct 12 (Bernama) -- A car painter pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here today to having in his possession counterfeit banknotes and equipment used to make fake money, last week.

Muhammad Ridzuan Cheong Abdullah, 34, also pleaded guilty to a second charge of possessing fake identification cards.

He made the plea after the charges were read out to him before judge Siti Aminah Ghazali.

On the first count, the accused was charged with possession of various items used for producing fake money as well as 42 fake RM50 notes and six fake RM100 notes, which he knew were counterfeit, but with the intention to use them as genuine.

As for the second charge, Muhammad Ridzuan Cheong was accused of possessing more than one identification card which he knew were not genuine.

The accused was alleged to have committed the offences at a house in Taman Alor Akar here at 3.45pm on Oct 5.

The first charge framed under Section 489D of the Penal Code carries a maximum jail term of 20 years, and a fine, if convicted.

For the second count, the accused was charged under Section 25(1) of the National Registration Regulations 1990 (amended 2007) which provides for an imprisonment for up to three years or fine of not more than RM20,000, upon conviction.

The court allowed Muhammad Ridzuan Cheong bail of RM12,000 for both charges and fixed Nov 14 for mention.

The prosecution was conducted by deputy public prosecutor Farahah Mohd Nazari while the accused was unrepresented.

-- BERNAMA