The trial was supposed to begin today but was postponed because of a scheduling conflict his lawyer, RSN Rayer, had with other cases.

“The proceedings were also delayed as I had only taken over this case from Ramkarpal Singh last month,” Rayer told FMT.

Ramkarpal has left legal practice to take up the post of deputy law minister.

Naidu, 53, pleaded not guilty in the magistrates’ court in Bukit Mertajam to the charge of consuming methamphetamine (MDMA) on April 20 last year.

A lawyer himself, Naidu was charged under Section 15 (1) (a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act, under which MDMA is an illegal substance.

He is accused of committing the offence at about 12.13am on Jan 14 last year at the Bukit Mertajam police headquarters, where he was brought for a drug test.

He faces a fine of not more than RM5,000 or a jail term of not more than two years. He is currently out on bail of RM4,000.

Naidu was arrested along with 48 others at a nightclub in Perai, after which he was remanded for a day and released on police bail.

The two-term assemblyman for Pasir Bedamar in Teluk Intan claimed he went to Penang after being invited by a friend and client for a Chinese New Year dinner and was then taken by his friend to the entertainment outlet.

He claimed that his drink was spiked while he was in the toilet, adding that another person had witnessed his drink being topped up.

Rayer said Naidu’s past two representations to the Attorney-General’s Chambers were declined.

The representations, among others, sought to withdraw charges against Naidu as they are “wholly unsustainable” based on the evidence against him.