BUKIT MERTAJAM: Five policemen, arrested for allegedly extorting money from a factory worker last week, were jointly charged at the magistrate's court here today.
All of the accused, attached to the mobile police vehicle (MPV) unit, pleaded not guilty to the charge against them under Section 384 of the Penal Code.
Sergeant Rozaini Abu Hassan, 48, Corporal Muhamad Mustaqim Ismail, 35, Lance Corporal Muhamad Syakir Haikal Hasli, 24, Corporal Mohd Nurizuan Ahmad Suhaimi, 38, and Lance Corporal Muhamad Khusairi Ahamad, 30, are alleged to have committed extortion by causing fear to one Huah Wei Jian, 27, causing him to hand over RM4,500 to them along Jalan Permatang Tinggi about 10.15pm on Feb 1.
The offence, under Section 384, carries a maximum 10 years' jail, fine, or whipping, or any two such punishments.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Nordin Ismail urged the court to set bail at RM10,000 each.
He also urged the court to impose a condition that the accused do not disturb the victim in this case, whether personally or through an agent, failing which their bail would be revoked.
Counsel V.S. Kumar, representing all five accused, told the court that his clients are all civil servants and still working as policemen.
"Since they are still in service and needed to go through trial, there is no flight risk as it concerns their pension and gratuity.
"As such, I appeal for a minimal bail for all the accused," he said.
Kumar also told the court that his clients have their own family to fend for.
Rozaini is married with four children and has been in the force for 24 years, while Mustaqim is married with three children, including a baby. He has been in the force for 12 years.
Syakir has a heavily pregnant wife and has been in the force for four years and Nurizuan is married with three children, one of whom is disabled. He has been in the force for 18 years.
Khusairi is married and has been in the force for seven years.
Magistrate Nurul Rasyidah Mohd Akit set bail at RM5,000 each with one surety.
She also fixed March 15 for mention for submission of documents.
"The accused are also not to disturb the victim or any witnesses in this case.
"If there is any complaint, their bail will be revoked," she added.
All the five accused posted bail.
It was reported last Saturday that five policemen in the state were detained in connection to an extortion case involving a factory worker in Permatang Tinggi last Thursday.
https://www.nst.com.my/news/crime-courts/2024/02/1010695/police-extortio...
They were detained after police received a report from a 27-year-old man, who allegedly paid RM4,500 to the suspects.
In the 10.15pm incident, the factory worker was driving from Permatang Tinggi to Simpang Ampat, when he was allegedly stopped by two police mobile patrol vehicles. Three policemen then came over to check his vehicle.
During checks, one of the policemen claimed to have found a plastic bag containing powder, believed to be drugs, inside the man's car.
The man denied that the item belonged to him. The policemen insisted otherwise and said that he could face harsh punishment.
The man then claimed another police car arrived with two personnel inside, and he was asked to pay RM10,000 to avoid being arrested.
After discussion, the man was asked to pay RM4,500, in which the money was later handed over to one of the policemen at a separate location.
After paying the money, the dissatisfied man lodged a police report.