BATU PAHAT: A farmer pleaded guilty today at the Yong Peng magistrate's court to trespassing into an abandoned building, claiming he had intended to conduct paranormal activities last Saturday.
The accused, Muhamad Zainudin Asaron, 20, made the plea before magistrate Suhaila Shafi'uddin after the charge was read out to him by the court interpreter.
According to the charge, he is accused of criminal trespass by entering the property of a 47-year-old man in Bukit Pasir at 1.36pm.
As a result, he faces a charge under Section 447 of the Penal Code, which carries a penalty of up to six months in prison, a fine of RM3,000, or both, upon conviction.
The case facts indicate that the police received a report from the complainant at 3.20pm on the day of the incident, informing them that an unknown individual had trespassed into a building that had previously been used as his shopping complex.
Further investigation by the police revealed that the trespassing occurred at 1.36pm, and the information led to the arrest of the accused.
During questioning, the accused claimed he entered the building to conduct paranormal activities with friends, but they never showed up.
The accused was arrested and brought to the Batu Pahat District Police Headquarters for further investigation.
The prosecution was handled by Deputy Public Prosecutor Farah Wahidah Mohd Sharip, while the accused was represented by Tan Song Yan from the National Legal Aid Foundation.
As the accused is classified as a young offender, the court has set Dec 23 for a social report from the Social Welfare Department before any sentencing is passed.
At the same time, the court allowed the accused to post bail of RM2,000 with one surety.