KLUANG, Sept 22 — A 46-year-old single mother, suspected to be the mastermind of an illegal moneylending syndicate, claimed trial in the Sessions Court here today after being charged with mischief for setting two cars on fire earlier this month.
The accused, Vun Lee Fon, pleaded not guilty after the charges were read out in Mandarin before Judge Mujib Saroji.
According to the charge sheets, the mother of two is accused of setting fire to two cars belonging to women aged 28 and 45.
The offences were allegedly committed at Jalan Suria 4, Taman Matahari, and Taman Sri Permai here, between 3am and 4am on September 3 and 5, respectively.
Vun was charged under Section 435 of the Penal Code for mischief by fire and Section 436 for mischief with intent to destroy property by fire.
Section 435 provides for a prison sentence of up to 14 years and a fine, while Section 436 carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years and a fine upon conviction.
The prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutor Nur Ramizah Ramli, while the accused was unrepresented.
Earlier, the prosecution proposed bail at RM27,000 for both charges, with additional conditions.
The court then allowed bail of RM14,000 with one surety and ordered the accused to report to the nearest police station and to refrain from harassing the prosecution’s witnesses, including the victims.
The court fixed October 15 for mention and submission of documents, and also ordered the appointment of counsel for the accused.
It was previously reported that the accused was arrested in Johor Bahru on September 6 after being linked to an arson case involving a loan shark syndicate. The incident involved a Molotov cocktail attack and the posting of a threatening notice at the victim’s residence after they failed to repay loans.
