MUAR: A labourer was sentenced to 48 months in prison and fined RM10,000 by the Sessions Court here today after pleading guilty to arson at a place of worship in Tangkak last July.
Judge Nariman Badruddin handed down the sentence to Muhammad Nizam A. Rahman, 32, after he changed his plea to guilty when the charge was read in court.
Muhammad Nizam was accused of committing mischief by fire, causing destruction to a place of worship at Kebun Baru, Tangkak, at 3.30am on July 15.
The court also ordered an additional four months' jail if the accused fails to pay the fine.
Muhammad Nizam's inability to settle the fine resulted in his total jail sentence being extended to 52 months.
He was charged under Section 436 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of 20-year imprisonment and a fine.
Police investigations revealed that the accused brought diesel from his nearby residence, poured it on the structure, and set it ablaze.
The fire was noticed by passersby, who alerted police and arrested the accused later the same day.
Deputy public prosecutor Mohamad Ariff Marzuki prosecuted, while Muhammad Nizam was unrepresented.