BUKIT MERTAJAM: Three policemen claimed trial at the Magistrate’s Court here for allegedly extorting RM10,000 from two Thai nationals last year.
Koperal Mohd Shukri Amran, 35; Koperal Mohammad Faizal Mirdukhim @ Mustapa, 43; and Koperal Muhammad Arifshah Zulkefli, 23, were jointly charged on Friday (Aug 1) with deliberately extorting Anotai Saentawe and Suwit Sake by instilling fear that harm would befall them, thereby inducing them to hand over RM10,000.
The offence was allegedly committed at a petrol station in Juru (southbound) along the North-South Expressway at 1.30am on Sept 26, 2024.
The accused, who were attached to the Central Seberang Perai police headquarters, were charged under Section 385 of the Penal Code, read together with Section 34 of the same Code. The charge carries a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment, a fine, caning, or any two of the punishments, upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nor Shakila Dahari requested bail of RM10,000 with one surety for each of the accused. However, counsel for the accused appealed for lower bail, citing their responsibilities in supporting their families.
Magistrate Nurul Rasyidah Mohd Akit granted bail of RM4,000 with one surety each and set Sept 12 for mention.
Meanwhile, another policeman from the same police headquarters was charged separately with abetting the alleged extortion.
Koperal Muhammad Nizar Mat Axid, 40, pleaded not guilty when the charge was read out before magistrate Nurul Rasyidah in the same court on Friday.
He was charged with abetting Mohd Shukri, Mohammad Faizal, and Muhammad Arifshah in intentionally committing extortion against the same two Thai nationals.
The offence was allegedly committed at a rented house at No. 32, Jalan Setia 2, Taman Setia, at 2.30am on the same day.
The charge was framed under Section 109 of the Penal Code, read together with Section 385, which also provides for a maximum sentence of seven years' imprisonment, a fine, caning, or any two of the punishments upon conviction.
The court set bail at RM4,000 with one surety and fixed Sept 12 for mention.
