A 43-year-old man was charged at the Ipoh Magistrate’s Court today with possessing a roll of stolen Telekom Malaysia cables and intentionally obstructing a police officer from performing his duties.
IPOH: A man was brought before the Magistrate’s Court here today over charges of possessing a roll of stolen telecommunications cables belonging to Telekom Malaysia (TM) and intentionally obstructing police officers in the execution of their duties last week.
The accused, Helmi Baharum, 43, pleaded not guilty after both charges were read out before Magistrate Nur Laila Mohamed Nazil.
Under the first charge, the man is alleged to have together with another individual who remains at large intentionally obstructed a public servant, Sergeant Faiz Yaakop, from carrying out his duties on Jalan Raja Perempuan Mazwin here, at approximately 6 am on Oct 30.
The charge is brought under Section 186 of the Penal Code, read together with Section 34 of the same Code, which carries a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to RM10,000, or both, upon conviction.
Regarding the second charge, Helmi is alleged to have together with another individual who remains at large dishonestly received or retained stolen property, namely a roll of cables belonging to TM, on Jalan Pulai Hartamas, Simpang Pulai, near here, at the same date and time.
This charge is brought under Section 411 of the Penal Code, read in conjunction with Section 34 of the same Code, which carries a penalty of up to five years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both, upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhammad Zulqarnain Wan Asmira proposed bail at RM5,000 for each charge, with one surety.
However, lawyers from the National Legal Aid Foundation (YBGK), Harbhajan Singh and Canice Chan Hong Yan representing the accused requested minimum bail.
They argued that their client, who is single, earns a monthly income of only RM1,600 and supports his 66-year-old mother, who suffers from diabetes.
The court subsequently granted bail totalling RM6,500 comprising RM2,500 for the first charge and RM4,000 for the second charge with one surety.
The court set December 16 for case management.
