KAJANG: Two policemen from the district police headquarters here, were jointly charged at the magistrate's court today with extorting RM300 from a foreigner on Saturday.
Corporal Nik Ridzuan Nik Man,39, and Constable Muhammad Najmi Mohd Khodhri,27, who stood in the dock together, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read out to them before magistrate Nurul Hafzan Ab Aziz.
They were accused of deliberately committing extortion by putting fear in 29-year-old Myanmar national, Wai Lin Phyo, that he would be at the risk of arrest and induced him to hand over RM300 to them.
They allegedly committed the offence at 11.30am at the side of Jalan Taming Sari 1 in Balakong on July 28.
The offence under Section 384 of the Penal Code read with Section 34 carries imprisonment for a term which may extend to 10 years, with fine or with whipping or with any two of such punishments upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Nurul Husna Amran urged the court to set bail at RM8,000 for each accused.
In mitigation, lawyer Muhamad Wafiq Hadie, who stood for Nik Ridzuan, pleaded for a lower bail as his client's bailor had brought only RM4,000.
"His brother-in-law aged 35 is a mechanic who earns about RM1,000 monthly.
"The maximum amount of money he has today is RM4,000. Their familial ties will secure the accused's attendance in court.
"The bail sum should not be a form of punishment," he said.
He said his client, who is married with three children, has high blood pressure.
Lawyer Mohd Fikah Sanusi, who appeared for Najmi who is married with a three-year-old child, also pleaded for a lower bail amount.
"As of today, he is still a policeman and they have both given their full cooperation since investigations began and will continue to do so if the court allows a minimum bail.
"I believe there are no flight risk factors because they are civil servants with the government," he said.
The court fixed bail at RM4,000 with one surety for each accused.
Sept 3 was set for mention.
Yesterday, Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the state prosecution office issued the order to charge the duo after the completion of the investigation papers.
Hussein said Selangor police would not protect any of its men involved in crime.
Several days ago, two videos circulating on the Telegram messaging application showed policemen allegedly extorting money from a foreign couple.
The first video showed two men in blue uniforms, wearing motorcycle helmets and standing next to two motocycles talking to a man wearing a grey T-shirt and jeans.
As the three men talked, a woman was seen slumped against a parked car, her head covered in a piece of cloth and appeared to be unconscious or unwell.
One of the men was then seen opening the motorcycle box and instructing the individual to place something inside.
The individual then takes something out of his jeans pockets and placed it in the box.
Hussein said they received a report from a foreign man over the video and two policemen attached to the Kajang police headquarters were arrested and subsequently remanded to be probed for extortion.