Malaysia Crime Watch

3 February 2010
Taiping

Four unemployed men were charged in court yesterday with causing mischief by fire on two churches and a school. They are 29-year-old Abdul Fattah Shaharuddin from Taman Palma 1, Kamunting, 20-year-old Muhamad Ab Wahab from Taman Mewah, Kamunting, 22-year-old Andidi Rosidi from Taman Mewah, Kamunting, and 18-year-old Azreen Rosli from Taman Desa Jaya.

Three others who were arrested with the four were released on condition that they will become prosecution witnesses. All seven suspects have been in police custody since 22 January 2010.

Abdul Fattah and Muhamad were charged with causing the fire at the All Saints Church along Jalan Taming Sari between 12:01am and 3:30am on 10 January 2010. Andidi was charged with the same offence committed at SMK Convent along Jalan Convent at the same day and time. Azreen was also charged with causing mischief with fire at the Taiping Catholic Church along Jalan Convent at the same day and time.

Under Section 436 of the Penal Code, the charge carries a maximum jail sentence of 20 years and a fine upon conviction.

Magistrate Sharifah Izura Syed Mashor granted bail at RM30,000 each. Deputy public prosecutor Hamdan Hamzah argued with the offences are serious and sensitive, thus he asked the court to require the four to report to Taiping police every Monday if they posted bail. All four failed to post bail.

The magistrate has set 8 February 2010 for mention.

The Star Online – Four charged with Taiping church and school attacks
<URL:http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/2/3/nation/5599212&sec=nation>

New Straits Times Online – 4 charged over church fire
<URL:http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/articles/2chga/Article/index_html>

Technorati Tags: malaysia crime, malaysia, crime, taiping, arson, attack, causing mischief by fire, all saints church, smk convent, taiping catholic church

30 January 2010
Kuala Lumpur

Three despatch riders were charged in court today for allegedly starting a fire at the Metro Tabernacle Church in Desa Melawati. They are 22-year-old Azuwan Shah Ahmad, 24-year-old Raja Muhammad Faizal Raja Ibrahim and his 22-year-old Raja Muhammad Idzham Raja Ibrahim.

Sessions court judge S.M. Komathy Suppiah charged them with committing mischief with fire at the church in Desa Melawati, Wangsa Maju with the intention to destroy it on 7 January 2010 at 11.50pm. Authorities believe that there are others involved but not caught.

Raja Muhammad Faizal was seen having burn marks on his hands, body and face and a urine bag hanging on his right side. Raja Muhammad Idzham also sustained burns on his hand.

Deputy public prosecutor Anselm Charles Fernandis proposed to set bail at RM20,000 in one surety as there was direct and circumstantial evidence against the defendants. Komaty allowed each of them to post bail at RM10,000 as the three accused said they were from poor families and were first-time offenders.

They failed to post bail and will have their case mentioned on 12 March 2010. If convicted, they face 20 years of jail time and a fine under Section 436 of the Penal Code.

The Star Online – Despatch riders claim trial to setting fire to church
<URL:http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/1/30/nation/5582478&sec=nation>

Technorati Tags: malaysia crime, malaysia, crime, kuala lumpur, desa melawati, wangsa maju, metro tabernacle church, arson, despatch rider, committing mischief

23 January 2010
Petaling Jaya

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said four men were arrested by Johor police for the arson attacks on two surau in Muar. It is believed one of the suspects is the son of a lance corporal in the police force.

Two surau in Sabak Aur and Parit Beting were damaged on Thursday by burning kerosene. The curtain and front wall of Surau Sirrahtulrahim along Jalan Ismail were scorched by the fire was put out by passers-by. The second surau along Jalan Salleh had a burnt side door and broken window.

Police arrested the suspects, aged between 16 and 28 years old, between raids held on Friday. All of them were acquainted with one another. One was a school dropout and another a restaurant employee.

The case is being investigated under Section 436 of the Penal Code for causing mischief while the suspects remain in police custody until late Saturday.

The Star Online – Four nabbed for arson attempt on surau in Muar (Update)
<URL:http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/1/23/nation/20100123121314&sec=nation>

Technorati Tags: malaysia crime, malaysia, crime, petaling jaya, muar, arson, surau, surau sirrahtulrahim, causing mischief