Four Singaporeans Charged Over Shopping Centre Scuffle

JOHOR BAHRU, Dec 24 (Bernama) -- Three family members and an artist, all Singaporeans, who were involved in a scuffle at a shopping centre here last Sunday, were charged at the Magistrate’s Court today.

Chua Chin Heng, 56, Loe Sou Peng, 55, and Axl Chua Kai Jun, 27, claimed trial after the charges against them were read out before Magistrate A. Shaarmini, while P. Suresh, 46, pleaded guilty before Magistrate Nabilah Nizam.

The three family members were charged with intentionally causing hurt to Suresh at a shopping centre at Jalan Serigala here at 5.17 pm on Dec 21, while the artist was charged with voluntarily causing hurt to Chua at the same location and time.

All four accused were charged under Section 323 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of one year’s imprisonment or a fine of up to RM2,000, or both, upon conviction.

Chua, Loe and Kai Jun were represented by lawyers Muadz Zulkarnain and Jagveer Singh, while the prosecution was conducted by deputy public prosecutor Sarah Siti Aisyah Mustapha Kamal.

Suresh was represented by lawyer L. Mehnagha, while the prosecution against him was handled by deputy public prosecutors Nor Deana Aqilah Aliman and Siti Aishah Latif.

Magistrate A. Shaarmini allowed Chua, Loe and Kai Jun to be released on bail of RM5,000 each in one Malaysian surety and fixed Jan 27 for mention of the case, while Magistrate Nabilah Nizam imposed a fine of RM1,500 on Suresh.

Chua and Suresh also faced an additional charge of disorderly conduct for allegedly arguing at the Larkin police station area at 6.15 pm on the same day.

However, Chua claimed trial while Suresh pleaded guilty after the charge was read out before Shaarmini.

They were charged under Section 90 of the Police Act, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum penalty of six months’ imprisonment or a fine of up to RM500, or both, upon conviction.

Shaarmini set bail at RM4,000 in one Malaysian surety for Chua, while Suresh was fined RM400.

-- BERNAMA