JOHOR BARU: A 24-year-old man who allegedly works as an enforcer for a loan shark syndicate is set to face 29 charges in Magistrate and Sessions Courts here on Wednesday (Oct 28) over a series of arson, vandalism and criminal intimidation cases.
Johor police chief Comm Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad said the suspect was arrested in Johor Baru on Oct 8.
"Investigations revealed that the suspect had been active since September, allegedly carrying out acts of vandalism by splashing paint on victims' houses, setting fires and placing threatening notices at their homes.
"The suspect was allegedly paid between RM200 and RM400 for each act," he said in a statement on Tuesday (Oct 27) night.
Comm Ab Rahaman added police seized two motorcycles, a helmet, three threatening notes, a mobile phone, a hammer and a lighter.
He said checks showed that the suspect had no previous criminal record, although his initial urine test was positive for amphetamine.
Comm Ab Rahaman added all 16 investigation papers had been referred to the Johor prosecution director's office, which issued directions for charges to be brought against the suspect.
He said the charges comprise two under Section 436 of the Penal Code for mischief by fire or explosive substance, four under Section 435 for mischief by fire, 11 under Section 427 for mischief and three under Section 426 for mischief.
"The suspect also faces eight charges under Section 507 for criminal intimidation through anonymous communication and one under Section 506 for criminal intimidation," he added.
Comm Ab Rahaman said Johor police had crippled 135 groups involved in vandalism-related activities state wide between 2023 and September this year, with 214 members charged in court.
He stressed that the police would not compromise with anyone involved in criminal activities that threatened public safety and peace in the state.
Those with information on illegal money-lending syndicates can contact the Johor police hotline at 019-279 2095 or the operations room at 07-221 2999.
