IPOH: A man pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here on Wednesday (Nov 4) to charges of committing mischief by setting fire to three fish platforms in Pantai Remis on Sunday (Dec 1).
The accused, Chew Chai Lai, 64, who is also a holder of a disabled person (OKU) card, made the plea after the charge was read out in Mandarin before Judge Azizah Ahmad.
However, Judge Azizah ordered Chew to be referred to Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta, Tanjung Rambutan, for a mental health evaluation as the accused frequently spoke during the proceedings.
According to the charge sheet, Chew was accused of committing mischief by fire using petrol with the intent to damage three fish platforms.
The act is alleged to have been committed at Jalan Pelantar, Pantai Remis, in the Manjung district at around 1am on Dec 1, 2024.
The charge was brought under Section 436 of the Penal Code, which carries a penalty of up to 20 years in jail, and a fine upon conviction.
The prosecution was handled by Deputy Public Prosecutor NM Moganaraj Mithra, while the accused was unrepresented.
The court then set Jan 3, 2025, for mention
It was earlier reported that three fish platforms in Pantai Remis were destroyed in a fire, believed to be an act of arson, early Sunday morning, resulting in losses estimated at around RM470,000.
