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A 32-YEAR-old unemployed man who was earlier charged with the murder of his wife has now been brought before the Sessions Court in Muar to face multiple counts of arson involving nine vehicles belonging to his late wife and brother-in-law.
The accused, Mohamad Khairul Azmi Ithnin, pleaded guilty to six out of the nine charges read to him before Judge Sayani Mohd Nor. The charges involve the wilful burning of two four-wheel drives, two motorcycles, a sport utility vehicle (SUV), and a car.
The alleged offences occurred in the early hours of 3 June between 4.36am and 6.46am at Kampung Pengkalan Kota, Durian Chondong, and Kebun Durian Kampung Teratai 2 in Sagil.
For the second to fourth charges — involving the arson of two motorcycles and a car in Kampung Pengkalan Kota — the accused pleaded not guilty.
All charges were framed under Section 435 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of 14 years' imprisonment and whipping, upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Diyana Najihah Muhamed Fauzi informed the court that no bail would be offered, as the accused is also facing a separate murder charge under Section 302 of the Penal Code in the Tangkak Magistrates’ Court on the same day.
In that case, Mohamad Khairul is accused of killing his wife, Iecah Junus, 34, by slashing her throat with a vegetable-cutting knife. During the mention, the accused merely nodded to indicate understanding, and no plea was recorded.
In the arson case, the court fixed 9 July for submission of case documents, legal representation, and sentencing for the charges to which the accused had pleaded guilty. - June 10, 2025