4 Alleged Moneylenders Face Arson Charges

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The four alleged members of a moneylending gang escorted by police at the sessions court. (Bernama pic)PETALING JAYA: Four alleged members of a moneylending gang, one of whom is three months pregnant, pleaded not guilty in the sessions court in Johor Bahru today to five charges of committing mischief by fire against four people last month.
On the first four charges, Abdul Halim Noor, 31, Veeno Chiew, 42, and Nur Azman Hassan, 36, pleaded not guilty to setting fire to homes and vehicles of three victims in Ulu Tiram and Taman Abad, between March 10 and March 27, Bernama reported.
On the fifth charge, Halim, Chiew and Liew Choon Kian, 44, pleaded not guilty to jointly causing mischief by fire for the purpose of causing damage to a woman’s residence in Ulu Tiram on March 15.
The charges were framed under Section 435 of the Penal Code for mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to cause up to RM50,000 in damage, and Section 436 of the same code for intent to destroy a house by fire.
The defendants face up to 20 years in prison and a fine if convicted.
Judge Che Wan Zaidi Che Wan Ibrahim set bail for Halim and Chiew at RM70,000 each, with one surety for all charges.
Bail for Azman was set at RM56,000, with one surety for all charges, and bail for Liew was set at RM14,000, with one surety.
The defendants were also asked to report to the nearest police station once a month, not to approach the victims and witnesses, and to surrender their passports to the court until the disposal of the case.
The court fixed May 23 for next mention of the case and submission of documents. - FMT

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