Film director and actor Farid Kamil Zahari faced the Petaling Jaya Magistrate’s Court once again today, to answer a charge of using drugs.

He pleaded not guilty to using 'tetrahydrocannabinol acid' or THC, a precursor to an active component of cannabis, at the Petaling Jaya district Narcotics Office at 4.30pm on Jan 11.

The charge under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, punishable under Section 15 and Section 38B of the same Act, carries a maximum fine of RM5,000 or up to two years’ jail, or both, on conviction.

Farid, 37, who starred in local films, Lagenda Budak Setan and V3 Samseng Jalanan arrived at the court complex here at 10.10am in dark blue suit accompanied by his younger brother Fadzil Bahari Zahari, 35, and other family members.

Deputy public prosecutor Fazeedah Faik did not propose bail but Farid’s counsel Athari Bahardin urged the court to grant bail as the accused had two young children to support.

"The accused works in the entertainment industry with no fixed income, he also has to support his aged parents. His brother Fadzil will be his surety as he works in advertising and earns RM4,000 monthly,” counsel submitted.

Magistrate Nor Ariffin Hisham acceded, setting RM3,000 as bail with one surety, and an additional condition that Farid surrenders his passport to the court pending the disposal of the case.

The court fixed March 5 for remention.

On Jan 16, Farid claimed trial at the magistrate’s court on two charges of voluntarily causing hurt, disorderly conduct and obstructing a public servant from carrying out his duty.

He allegedly committed the offenses at the Information Counter, Kota Damansara Traffic Police Station in Petaling Jaya on Jan 11, where he had gone to lodged a complaint about a road accident. 

The court granted him RM12,000 bail with one surety for all the charges.

-- Bernama