Raja Petra’s son contests criminal charges

SHAH ALAM: Raja Azman Raja Petra, son of Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Raja Kamarudin, who earlier pleaded guilty to four counts of criminal offences has changed his plea to not guilty.

The 32-year-old claimed trial at the magistrate’s court to theft, receiving stolen property and criminal trespass when the case was set for sentencing yesterday.

Raja Azman, who appeared before magistrate Norkamilah Aziz at about 10am, pleaded not guilty when his charges were read out to him again yesterday.

On May 19, he had pleaded guilty to stealing a Nokia mobile phone; a Seiko watch and a bunch of motorcycle keys all worth about RM3,850 belonging to student Saipul Adli Mohamad Yunus, 21, at No. 16, Jalan Sastera, U2/1K,Section U2, Shah Alam, at about 10am on April 24.

A second charge was of stealing a Yamaha 135LC motorcycle worth about RM6,000 from student Ahmad Firdaus Jalaludin, 23, at the same location and time.

He was also read an alternate charge of possessing a Yamaha 135LC motorcycle worth about RM6,000 with the knowledge, or with cause to believe, that the motorcycle was stolen property.

Raja Azman was also accused of another motorcycle theft, a black Yamaha RXZ belonging to Mohd Syaiful Setapa, 24, worth about RM8,000 at 9.30am on March 20, at No. 65, Jalan Batas 2, 19/6B, Section 19, Shah Alam.

The last charge was for breaking into a house at No. 65, Jalan Batas 2, and stealing Mohd Syaiful’s wallet containing his identification card, RM20, road tax, Maybank and BSN ATM cards and his driver’s licence.

If convicted, Raja Azman is liable to a jail term of up to 10 years and fine.

Norkamilah previously set bail at RM10,500 in total, in one surety for each charge.

Leading the prosecution was deputy public prosecutor Siti Syakimah Ibrahim while Raja Azman was represented by lawyers J. Chandra and Amarjit Singh Sidhu.

Speaking to reporters later, Chandra said he was asked to represent Raja Azman by “a family member” but declined to elaborate.

When asked if his client would post bail, Chandra replied: “It will be handled.”

The court set Sept 14 to 16 for hearing.