SUNGAI PETANI: An activist attached to a non-governmental organisation (NGO) today claimed trial at the magistrate's court here to an extortion charge involving an immigrant.
Azli Alias, 46, pleaded not guilty when the charge was read before magistrate M. Kalaiarasi.
According to the charge sheet, Azli had voluntarily committed extortion, which caused fear to Pakistani national Shah Fahad that something bad would happen to him, leading the man to surrender RM3,000 to the accused.
Azli is charged with committing the offence at 7.30pm at a sundry shop in Bandar Perdana here last October.
The charge was framed under Section 384 of the Penal Code, which carries up to 10 years' imprisonment or a fine or whipping, or any of the two punishments, upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor S. Preeyaa prosecuted, while lawyer Muhammad Nur Islam Yahya represented the accused.
The prosecution proposed to the court to set bail at RM5,000, but the defence pleaded for a lower amount.
Nur Islam informed the court that the accused earns a RM1,500 monthly salary as a transport supervisor and has a wife, nine children and an ailing mother to support.
The court fixed the bail at RM3,000 with one surety and ordered Azli not to disturb the complainant.
Kalaiarasi then set June 24 for mention date.