KUALA LUMPUR: Despite having four arrest warrants issued against her, former TV personality Norjuma Habib Mohamed was seen attending a thanksgiving ceremony at a hotel she manages in Kota Baru, Kelantan today.
According to Harian Metro, the 44-year-old hijab entrepreneur was seen at the Royal Guest House at 4.30pm holding a press conference with regards to the operations of her hotel.
Norjuma claimed to be in the dark on her arrest warrants and said that she had not been informed by any party including her lawyers on the matter.
She added that she only came to know about the issue of the arrest warrants through media reports and described the matter as absurd.
At the same time, Norjuma alleged that she had got a new date to appear in court this month and will appear on the set date.
"I don't even know the basis of the story regarding the arrest warrant and admit that I was quite surprised to read the media reports on the issue. This matter should have been handled by my lawyer, not the media.
"Until now, the five appointed lawyers have not informed me of this matter and I am now also facing problems because the lawyers are not cooperating with me.
"Even recently, the lawyers did not appear in court even after spending half a million for their costs," she said.
However, Norjuma said that she will appear on a new date set by the court this month.
"Actually many people don't know that the court has given me a new date which is this month. I will appear on that date," he said.
Four magistrates' courts each issued an arrest warrant against Norjuma for failure to appear for mention proceedings of five criminal charges against her last week.
The arrest warrants were issued by magistrates Illi Marisqa Khalizan, Nurul Izzah Shaharuddin, Fatin Dayana Jalil and Noor Elynna Hanim Abd Halim after Norjuma and her bailor, who is a sibling, did not show up despite having her name and cases called several times.
The court then set July 26, 29, 30 and August 2 for the mention of the arrest warrant.
On April 25, Norjuma claimed trial to charges of voluntarily causing hurt to three persons and committing mischief by damaging property at a condominium.
She was accused of voluntarily causing hurt to Nepali security guard Neupane Tika Ram by kicking his leg at a tuition centre in Bukit Damansara at 3pm on March 29, 2018.
She was also charged with the same offence against Mohd Afiq Ismail at a business centre near Jalan Ampang at 8.43pm on Feb 21, 2017.
Norjuma was also charged with slapping and scratching the hands of Nur Solehah Rosli at a condominium near Wangsa Maju at 10.30am on Oct 18, 2021.
The offence falls under Section 323 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum one-year jail term or fine of not more than RM2,000, or both, upon conviction.
Norjuma was also charged under Section 427 of the Penal Code for damaging a boom gate and a closed-circuit television camera of a condominium near Taman U-Thant in Ampang Hilir on July 28, last year.
She is liable to a maximum two years' imprisonment or fine, or both, upon conviction.
Meanwhile, Norjuma elaborated on her new challenge which was dabbling in the hospitality sector
In another development when commenting on the new business involving the hospitality sector here, Norjuma said it was a new challenge taken up.
"I spent RM3.5 million to renovate this hotel with around 40 rooms after taking over since 2022.
"Today the hotel is officially reopened after being closed for renovations. The rate are from RM120 to RM200.
"We've highlighted a boutique hotel concept with the ground floor being a place where I can sell my tudung wear which also has a cafe and the upper floors will be where the hotel's rooms are," she said.