IPOH: Two women have been slapped with three joint charges at the Magistrate's Court here with cheating a retiree of about RM120,000 at the Internal Revenue Board building here.
Noorfarah Surina Ahmad, 42, and Nurfalah Noordin, 33, claimed trial after the charges under Section 420 of the Penal Code, together with Section 34, were read before Magistrate S. Punitha on Friday (Aug 14).
Both the accused were said to have defrauded Koay Kuang Hew by offering assistance to resolve a tax-related arrear that did not exist on three occasions on April 10, April 14 and June 4.
If convicted, both accused could face a jail term of up to 10 years, fined and whipped.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Zarris Sofea Zainudin proposed a bail to be set at RM10,000 for each of the charges.
She also suggested for both to report to the nearest police station until the case is settled.
While pleading for a lower bail, lawyer Izzat Fakhri Halimi, who represented Noorfarah Surina, said she is an event organiser who earns about RM2,000 a month.
"She was arrested on Tuesday and has been in remand until Friday.
"During the investigation, she gave her full cooperation," said Izzat Fakhri, adding that the accused is married and has an 11-year-old child.
"She lives with her family and parents in Cyberjaya.
"Her father needs to go for dialysis treatment regularly, which is costly," he said.
"We request a minimum bail to ensure her attendance while not burdening her family," he added.
Lawyer Intan Shafini Mior Shahrin, from the National Legal Aid Foundation, who represented Nurfalah, said the accused is unemployed and has schizophrenia.
"She is still receiving treatment and is being cared for by her ageing parents who rely on their welfare aid.
"She also has two schoolgoing children, aged five and 11, who are under the care of her ex-husband.
"A collective bail of RM30,000 would be a punishment for her family," she added.
Magistrate Punitha set RM4,500 with one surety for each accused and Sept 24 for mention and for Nurfalah to appoint a lawyer.
She also ordered both accused to report to the police station nearest to their homes every month until the cases are completed.
