Hawkers deny hijacking lorry

GEORGE TOWN: Two hawkers, who allegedly hijacked a Penang Island City Council (MBPP) lorry last week, were charged in a magistrate’s court here with obstructing public servants from discharging their duties.

Mohammad Haziq Ammar Mohd Hussain, 28, and Abdul Muhaimin Mohd Hassan, 34, grinned at pressmen when they were escorted by policemen from the court lock-up to the magistrate’s court at about 10.40am yesterday.

The two claimed trial when they were jointly charged with committing the offence by driving off the lorry at about 8.30pm on May 4 at an eatery in front of the Bagan Jermal fire station in Jalan Tanjung Tokong.

The offence under Section 186 of the Penal Code is punishable by up to two years’ jail or a maximum of RM10,000 fine, or both, upon conviction.

Their lawyer M. Puveneswaran asked for a lower bail as they earned an average of RM1,500 monthly income.

The accused: Mohammad Haziq (in red) and Abdul Muhaimin (in black).

DPP Nurul Fatin Hussin prosecu-ted.

Magistrate Mohamad Amin Shahul Hamid allowed bail at RM7,000 with a surety for each accused and fixed July 4 for document submission. Both posted bail.

It was reported that a council enforcement officer lodged a police report after the hawkers allegedly drove away the lorry before officers could seize the chairs and tables during an operation.

The duo then parked the lorry at a police station located some 2km away from the scene but they were later arrested.

A video of them driving the lorry to the station went viral while a second video also emerged, obviously taken from inside the lorry.