Man and teenager claim trial for setting fire to a car

JOHOR BARU: A teenager and a man were charged at the Sessions Court here for committing mischief by fire.

The accused Chin Kah Eng, 20, and a 15-year-old boy pleaded not guilty to the charge, which was read before Sessions Court judge Datuk Ahmad Kamal Ariffin Ismail on Thursday (Nov 28).

They were charged with setting fire to a car, which belonged to a 28-year-old man, at a house in Jalan Indah 22/7, Taman Bukit Indah here at around 2am on Oct 22.

The incident allegedly caused the victim to incur a loss of more than RM50.

Both accused were charged under Section 435 of the Penal Code for committing mischief by fire or any explosive substance, which is punishable by a jail term of up to 14 years and a fine.

Deputy public prosecutor Lydia Salleh requested a suitable bail amount for both the accused.

Chin’s lawyer K. Bharathi asked for a lower amount, saying that the accused worked at an air-conditioning shop with a monthly salary of RM1,800.

“His mother has remarried and they are no longer in contact so he has to take care of his wife, two children, aged one and three, and his grandmother who raised him,” she added.

P. Rajagunaseelan who represented the underaged boy, also asked for a lower bail, citing that his parents could only afford to pay RM2,000.

“The accused’s father is a mechanic who earns RM3,000 monthly and has to care for his three children.

“The accused is no longer studying due to declining results. He used to study at his hometown in Pontian,” he said.

Judge Ahmad Kamal Ariffin allowed bail at RM6,000 with one surety for each accused.

The court also set Dec 30 for the next mention and submission of documents.