The accused, S. Pathamanaban, 42, (second right) and M. Kumar, 49, (third from right) speaking to their lawyers outside the courtroom after being charge for allegedly operating an unlicensed money-lending business, last year.
JOHOR BARU: Two men pleaded not guilty at the Magistrate’s Court here to operating an unlicensed money-lending business last year.
The accused, S. Pathamanaban, 42, and M. Kumar, 49, made the plea after the charge was read to them in front of Magistrate A. Shaarmini on Sunday (Dec 1).
According to the charge sheet, the duo had operated an unlicensed money lending business in Johor Baru.
The offence was allegedly conducted at a building on Jalan Air Molek, on Nov 13, 2023.
The charge was framed under Section 5(2) of the Moneylenders Act 1951 with carrying out money lending business without a licence.
Those found guilty could face a fine ranging from RM250,000 to RM1mil, or imprisonment for up to five years, or both.
The case was prosecuted by Deputy Public Prosecutor Nor Afiqah Musa, while both of the accused were represented by lawyers G. K. Sritharan and Tan Meng Khong.
During the proceeding, Nor Afiqah had requested bail to be set at RM15,000 for each of the accused with one surety.
Sritharan in mitigation requested for a lower bail as both Pathamanaban and Kumar each have families to take care.
“Each of the accused has three children that are still going to school and is taking care of their elderly parents. Therefore, I hope the court can offer bail at less than RM5,000,” he said.
The court then set bail at RM7,000 and fixed Dec 17 for the case's next mention.
Both of the accused posted bail.
