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>

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