Latest news with #RM650
The Sun
14 hours ago
- The Sun
Bella', seven others change pleas to not guilty in criminal intimidation
JOHOR BAHRU: Eight individuals, including a woman known as 'Bella' who went viral on social media, changed their pleas from guilty to not guilty at the Magistrate's Court here today on charges of criminal intimidation by issuing death threats, extortion, and wrongfully confining a man in a house in Plentong last April. Muhammad Aqmal Hafifi Mustafa Kamal, 25; Ahmad Rushdi Jumadi, 23; Muhammad Nur Shafiq Abdullah, 25; Muhammad Haikal Zulkarnain, 19; Mohamad Amierul Hakim Shamsuri, 23; Mohamad Danish Hakim Kamaruddin, 20; Syamsul Hamiziey Saiful Razali, 19; and Nuredrianna Balqqisyh Anabella Norazman, 22, made the plea change after the three charges were read out to them again before Magistrate A Shaarmini today. On April 25, all of them had pleaded guilty before Magistrate Atifah Hazimah Wahab to the three charges. Under the first charge, they were jointly charged with criminal intimidation by issuing death threats against Muhammad Faris Syahmi Mohd Ridzwan, 22. For the second charge, they, along with two others still at large, were charged with committing extortion by causing fear to Muhammad Faris Syahmi, specifically by threatening not to stop assaulting the victim until he paid RM3,000. They were also charged with extorting Muhammad Faris Syahmi by continuously assaulting him and refusing to release him, thereby inducing the victim to hand over RM650 via an e-wallet account and a Yamaha Y16 motorcycle key to Mohamad Amierul Hakim. For the third charge, all the accused, along with the two others still at large, were jointly charged with wrongfully confining the victim. In separate proceedings before Magistrate Nur Fatin Mohamad Farid, the seven men also changed their pleas to not guilty on a fourth charge of voluntarily causing hurt to the same victim, along with one other accomplice still at large. All the alleged offences were committed in a flat in Plentong, Masai, here, between 10 pm and 4 am, from April 18 to 19. The first three charges are framed under Sections 506, 384 and 342 of the Penal Code respectively, while the fourth charge is under Section 323 of the same Code. The offences carry penalties of imprisonment for up to 10 years, or a fine, or both, upon conviction. Accused Syamsul Hamiziey was represented by counsel Nurul Nadia Yunos; Mohamad Amierul Hakim by counsel T Haressh; while Muhammad Aqmal Hafifi and Ahmad Rushdi Jumadi were represented by counsel Khairulazwad Sariman and Syahmi Nawawi respectively. The prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutors Nik Noratini Nik Azman and Nur Fatihah Mohd Nizam. The Court fixed July 17 for the next mention of the case, submission of documents, and for the accused who are not yet represented to appoint counsel.
The Sun
14 hours ago
- The Sun
‘Bella', seven others change pleas to not guilty in criminal intimidation, extorsion case
JOHOR BAHRU: Eight individuals, including a woman known as 'Bella' who went viral on social media, changed their pleas from guilty to not guilty at the Magistrate's Court here today on charges of criminal intimidation by issuing death threats, extortion, and wrongfully confining a man in a house in Plentong last April. Muhammad Aqmal Hafifi Mustafa Kamal, 25; Ahmad Rushdi Jumadi, 23; Muhammad Nur Shafiq Abdullah, 25; Muhammad Haikal Zulkarnain, 19; Mohamad Amierul Hakim Shamsuri, 23; Mohamad Danish Hakim Kamaruddin, 20; Syamsul Hamiziey Saiful Razali, 19; and Nuredrianna Balqqisyh Anabella Norazman, 22, made the plea change after the three charges were read out to them again before Magistrate A Shaarmini today. On April 25, all of them had pleaded guilty before Magistrate Atifah Hazimah Wahab to the three charges. Under the first charge, they were jointly charged with criminal intimidation by issuing death threats against Muhammad Faris Syahmi Mohd Ridzwan, 22. For the second charge, they, along with two others still at large, were charged with committing extortion by causing fear to Muhammad Faris Syahmi, specifically by threatening not to stop assaulting the victim until he paid RM3,000. They were also charged with extorting Muhammad Faris Syahmi by continuously assaulting him and refusing to release him, thereby inducing the victim to hand over RM650 via an e-wallet account and a Yamaha Y16 motorcycle key to Mohamad Amierul Hakim. For the third charge, all the accused, along with the two others still at large, were jointly charged with wrongfully confining the victim. In separate proceedings before Magistrate Nur Fatin Mohamad Farid, the seven men also changed their pleas to not guilty on a fourth charge of voluntarily causing hurt to the same victim, along with one other accomplice still at large. All the alleged offences were committed in a flat in Plentong, Masai, here, between 10 pm and 4 am, from April 18 to 19. The first three charges are framed under Sections 506, 384 and 342 of the Penal Code respectively, while the fourth charge is under Section 323 of the same Code. The offences carry penalties of imprisonment for up to 10 years, or a fine, or both, upon conviction. Accused Syamsul Hamiziey was represented by counsel Nurul Nadia Yunos; Mohamad Amierul Hakim by counsel T Haressh; while Muhammad Aqmal Hafifi and Ahmad Rushdi Jumadi were represented by counsel Khairulazwad Sariman and Syahmi Nawawi respectively. The prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutors Nik Noratini Nik Azman and Nur Fatihah Mohd Nizam. The Court fixed July 17 for the next mention of the case, submission of documents, and for the accused who are not yet represented to appoint counsel.
The Sun
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Penang govt replaces aging fleet of cars to reduce maintenance costs
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government has replaced its aging fleet with 15 new Toyota Camry 2.5V (AT) (CBU) cars to reduce rising maintenance costs, which currently average RM42,144 per vehicle. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said that, as a matter of policy, vehicles for Exco members and senior officials are typically replaced every six years. The current fleet was purchased in 2019, following the initial replacement cycle that began in 2013. 'The older vehicles are still in use, primarily for carpooling among officers who require transportation. The vehicles are not being sold or left unused,' he said during his winding-up speech on the opening address by the Penang Yang di-Pertua Negeri, Tun Ramli Ngah Talib, at today's state legislative assembly. He added that the state government has spent nearly RM650,000 on maintaining these cars over their service period. Last Tuesday, Chow confirmed the procurement of 15 Toyota Camrys by the state government at a total cost of RM3.31 million, inclusive of sales tax and excise duties, equivalent to RM220,783 per unit. Ten are allocated to Exco members, three to former officials, and one each to the Speaker and Deputy Speaker. The vehicles were handed over on April 4.
The Sun
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Penang govt replaces Toyota Camry as its fleet vehicle
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government has replaced its aging fleet with 15 new Toyota Camry 2.5V (AT) (CBU) cars to reduce rising maintenance costs, which currently average RM42,144 per vehicle. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said that, as a matter of policy, vehicles for Exco members and senior officials are typically replaced every six years. The current fleet was purchased in 2019, following the initial replacement cycle that began in 2013. 'The older vehicles are still in use, primarily for carpooling among officers who require transportation. The vehicles are not being sold or left unused,' he said during his winding-up speech on the opening address by the Penang Yang di-Pertua Negeri, Tun Ramli Ngah Talib, at today's state legislative assembly. He added that the state government has spent nearly RM650,000 on maintaining these cars over their service period. Last Tuesday, Chow confirmed the procurement of 15 Toyota Camrys by the state government at a total cost of RM3.31 million, inclusive of sales tax and excise duties, equivalent to RM220,783 per unit. Ten are allocated to Exco members, three to former officials, and one each to the Speaker and Deputy Speaker. The vehicles were handed over on April 4.
New Straits Times
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Penang CM defends RM3.3mil Camry purchase: 'Old cars cost more'
GEORGE TOWN: After defending the Penang Development Corporation's (PDC) decision to award staff bonuses of up to six months' salary, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has now justified the purchase of 15 new Toyota Camry (AT) (CBU) vehicles for use by his administration. In his winding-up speech at the state legislative assembly today, Chow said the new vehicles were acquired to reduce maintenance costs. He said that the state government typically replaced its fleet every six years, with the previous batch purchased in 2019. "The state replaces official vehicles every six years to reduce the rising cost of maintenance," he said. "The previous vehicles are still in use, kept in a pool for officers as needed." However, Chow said that even with the pooled cars, there were still not enough vehicles to meet demand. He said that it was widely recognised that vehicles older than five years with high mileage could pose safety concerns and incur higher maintenance costs. He said the practice of replacing official vehicles every six years began in 2013, and maintenance costs for the ageing fleet had risen significantly. "On average, maintenance for each vehicle assigned to Exco members and officers has reached RM42,144 due to wear-and-tear repairs," he said. "In total, the state has spent nearly RM650,000 on maintaining these vehicles." Chow's administration has faced criticism over the recent purchase, particularly in light of reports highlighting the state's financial constraints. On Tuesday, Chow confirmed the acquisition of 15 new Toyota Camry vehicles, costing a total of RM3.31 million. Of these, 10 were allocated to state executive councillors, three to ex-officio members, and one each to the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the state legislative assembly.
