SIX, INCLUDING PAKISTANI WOMAN, CHARGED WITH GANG ROBBERY IN PASIR GUDANG

JOHOR BAHRU, March 6 (Bernama) -- Six individuals, including a Pakistani woman, were charged in the Magistrates' and Sessions Courts here today in connection with a gang robbery in Pasir Gudang late last month.

At the Sessions Court, Muhammad Syukri Mohamed Yusoff, 32, and Abdul Rahman Abd Rahim, 23, pleaded not guilty to a charge of committing gang robbery, before Judge Mohd Zamir Suhaimee.

Another accused, Emmirul Azim Samat, 30, also pleaded not guilty to two charges of preparing to commit gang robbery and possessing stolen property.

Muhammad Syukri and Abdul Rahman are accused of jointly committing gang robbery against a businessman, involving RM500,000 in cash, and are charged under Section 395 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years' imprisonment and caning. 

The alleged incident occurred at 12.30 pm on Feb 24 in a parking lot behind a bank at the Pasir Gudang Commercial Centre.

Meanwhile, Emmirul is charged under Section 399 of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum prison sentence of 10 years and caning, for preparing to commit gang robbery against the victim at the same location and time.

He is additionally accused of possessing stolen property belonging to the victim, comprising 100 RM20 notes, 152 RM10 notes, and five plastic packages of RM50 notes amounting to RM50,000 belonging to the victim.

The charge was brought under Section 412 of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum prison sentence of 20 years and a fine. The offence allegedly took place at a house on Jalan Rimba 53, Bandar Seri Alam, Masai, here, at approximately 8.50 pm on Feb 24.

The prosecution was conducted by deputy public prosecutor Siti Fatimah Mamu, while Muhammad Syukri and Abdul Rahman were represented by lawyer G Kamala, and Emmirul by Mohammad Muzammil Mohammad Hairiri.

The judge allowed Muhammad Syukri and Abdul Rahman bail of RM8,000 each with one local surety, along with additional conditions of reporting once a month at the nearest police station, surrendering their passports and refraining from contacting the victim or prosecution witnesses. Emmirul was granted bail of RM18,000 with one surety, subject to the same additional conditions.

Meanwhile, in a separate Sessions Court, Muhammat Rashid Ismail, 30, and Shameem Begum Abdul Said, 53, were charged with being parties to a criminal conspiracy to commit gang robbery at the same location, date and time. 

Muhammat Rashid pleaded not guilty, while Shameem Begum pleaded guilty after the charge under Section 120B(1) of the Penal Code was read before Judge Datuk Che Wan Zaidi Che Wan Ibrahim.

The prosecution was led by DPP Afdhallan Syafiq, while Muhammat Rashid was represented by lawyer Hafiz Zalkapli. Shameem was unrepresented.

The court granted bail of RM12,000 with one local surety for each accused, along with a monthly reporting condition at the nearest police station and set April 8 for document submission and Shameem Begum's sentencing.

Meanwhile, at the Magistrates' Court, another accused, Mohamad Taufiq Mohammad Jamil, 31, pleaded not guilty before Magistrate Azureen Sahira Sauffee Afandi to possessing an imitation silver Beretta pistol, under Section 36(1) of the Firearms Act 1960.

The offence allegedly took place at an office in Taman Damansara Aliff, Tampoi, at 11.05 am on Feb 27.

DPP Nur Fatihah Mohd Nizam handled the prosecution, while the accused was represented by lawyer Tarmeze Mohd Taib. The court set bail at RM5,000 with one surety and scheduled March 31 as the next mention date.

-- BERNAMA