KUALA LUMPUR: Four men today claimed trial to a joint charge of robbing a man of two gold bars worth RM710,000 earlier this month.
Salesman Putra Ramadan Jendaita, 37, security guards Ahmad Ramdhani Subhan,25, and Afrizal Muslim, 39, and self-employed Nazuwar Nahar,36, made their plea before Sessions Court judge Rosli Ahmad.
They were charged with committing gang robbery on the male victim, who was delivering the gold bars, at 2.30pm at the roadside of the Damai LRT station in Kampung Datuk Keramat in Wangsa Maju on Oct 3.
The offence, under Section 395 of the Penal Code read with Section 34, carries a maximum 20-year jail term and whipping upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Ikhwan Mohd Nasir did not offer bail due to the gravity of the offence.
"However, if the court wants to use its discretion to allow it, I suggest a bail sum of RM20,000 with one surety for each accused.
"As additional conditions, they must report to the police station, refrain from harassing the victim and witnesses and surrender their passports to the court," he said.
In mitigation, two lawyers who appeared for all four accused described the prosecution's suggested bail sum as excessive and said it would be impossible for their clients to cough up the sum.
Lawyer Ramalingam Karuppiah urged the court to use its discretion to offer bail to his clients, Putra Ramadan, Ahmad Ramdhani and Afrizal Muslim.
"If given bail, they will not abscond as they are Malaysians with permanent addresses in the country. I ask the court for a minimum bail sum and their next of kin will ensure their attendance in court," he said.
He said Putra Ramadan, who is married, has a child and was supporting his mother while Ahmad Ramdhani was married and has three children, one of whom is disabled. He added that Afrizal earns RM1,500 monthly and was supporting his mother.
Nazuwar's lawyer, Rodzim Zaimy Abdul Hamid, asked for bail to be allowed as his client had three children aged 11, 8, and nine months and his wife was due to deliver their fourth child.
"He is self-employed with an unstable monthly income of about RM1,500. His wife, who works as a nurse earns RM2,500 monthly. She is in court today and will be his bailor. She managed to raise RM8,000 to post bail," he said.
Both lawyers did not object to the prosecution's application for additional conditions to be imposed on their clients.
The court set bail at RM15,000 with one surety for each accused and allowed the prosecution's additional conditions.
Nov 25 was set for document submission.