IPOH: Two brothers pleaded not guilty to charges of possession and setting off fireworks that caused a fire in Teluk Intan here.
Sinar Harian reported that the duo were charged in separate courts.
The brothers were said to have set off the fireworks that caused a fire at the open hall of Arena Square Teluk Intan earlier this month.
In the Sessions Court, Jesan John Mikela, 19, pleaded not guilty after the charges against him were read before Judge Norhamizah Shaiffudin.
According to the charges, Jesan was charged with using fireworks with the knowledge that he might cause damage to the hall of the Arena Square building belonging to the Teluk Intan Municipal Council, which is a public place.
The charge sheet read that the incident happened at the hall in Jalan Raja, Teluk Intan in the Hilir Perak district at around 11.29pm on Monday (Nov 11).
Jesan who was accompanied by his father, was charged under Section 436 of the Penal Code for mischief by fire or explosive substance which provides for a prison sentence of up to 20 years or a fine if convicted.
Norhamizah allowed bail at RM3,000 with one surety in addition to imposing a condition that Jesan report to a police station once a month.
Meanwhile, at the Magistrate's Court, Jesan's brother, Steven John Mikela, 24, pleaded not guilty to the charge of possessing fireworks known as Happy Boom Assorted 138 shots and Happy Boom Red Cracker 88 at the same location at around 8.30pm on the same date.
Steven is charged under Section 8 of the Explosives Act 1957 which provides for seven years imprisonment or a fine not exceeding RM10,000 or both if convicted.
Magistrate Naidatul Athirah Azman allowed Steven, a lorry driver bail at RM3,500 with one surety.
The prosecution for both cases was handled by Prosecuting Officers, Insp Nur Aina Liyana Mohd Talal and Insp Nurul Farahdiana Md Saad while the brothers were represented by Lawyer Faustina Francis.
Both courts set Dec 20 for case mention.
It was reported that fireworks during a birthday party caused a fire in the open hall of Arena Square Teluk Intan earlier this month.
Hilir Perak OCPD Asst Comm Ahmad Adnan Basri said a 24-year-old lorry driver was arrested at his home in Teluk Intan after the incident.
"The fire occurred during a birthday party with about 500 guests.
"The organiser (set off) fireworks without a permit.
"Investigations found that the fire may have been caused when bursts from the fireworks hit the roof of the hall," he said.
