MELAKA: A former administrative assistant with the Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council (MPHTJ) has claimed trial at the Magistrate's Court in Ayer Keroh here to a charge of stealing RM37,000 worth of jewellery from her superior.
The plea of Nurfaraein Shahruddin, 35, was read before Magistrate Nur Afiqah Radhiah Zainurin on Friday (Dec 12).
According to the charge, she is alleged to have stolen jewellery belonging to a 47-year-old female superior at the MPHTJ office on Level 2 of Melaka Mall Complex, Lebuh Ayer Keroh here at about 11.10am on May 27, 2025.
She was charged under Section 380 of the Penal Code, which carries a penalty of up to 10 years' imprisonment as well as a fine, upon conviction.
It's learnt that the victim discovered that her missing jewellery, worth an estimated RM37,000, was being auctioned on social media by a goldsmith before she lodged a police report.
Police later viewed closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage from the goldsmith's shop, which led to the accused's arrest.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Hanis Aliah Ahmad Kamarulnajuib proposed bail of RM10,000 for the accused.
However, the defence appealed for lower bail, saying that the accused is unemployed and has two young children and her elderly parents to care for while her husband, the sole breadwinner, only earns RM1,500 per month as a lorry driver.
The court granted bail at RM3,500 with one surety and fixed Jan 21, 2026, as the next mention date.
