KLUANG: A single mother accused of masterminding an illegal moneylending syndicate was charged in the Sessions Court here today with setting fire to two cars earlier this month.
The accused, Vun Lee Fon, 46, pleaded not guilty to two counts of arson read out in Mandarin before judge Mujib Saroji.
According to the charges, the mother of two allegedly torched vehicles belonging to two women, aged 28 and 45, in separate incidents in Jalan Suria 4, Taman Matahari here and Taman Sri Permai here between 3am and 4am on Sept 3 and Sept 5.
She was charged under Sections 435 and 436 of the Penal Code, which carry maximum jail terms of 14 years and 20 years, respectively, along with fines upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Nur Ramizah Ramli sought bail of RM27,000 for both charges.
The court later granted RM14,000 bail with one surety, ordering the accused to report to the nearest police station and refrain from contacting prosecution witnesses, including the victims.
The case has been fixed for mention on Oct 15 for document submission and the accused’s appointment of legal counsel.
It is understood that after today’s proceedings, the accused was taken to the Muar police headquarters to face similar charges linked to loan shark activities.
She was arrested in Johor Baru on Sept 6 after allegedly hurling Molotov cocktails and placing threat notices at debtors’ homes.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
