KUALA LUMPUR: An electrician pleaded not guilty in the magistrate's court here yesterday to charges of breaking into a home and stealing various items belonging to a company manager.
Koh Kok Hin, 57, was accused of breaking into the house of Chooi Weng Wai, 35, and stealing jewellery worth about RM100,000, a Malaysian passport, three Chanel bags valued at RM60,000, foreign currencies including US dollars, Australian dollars, Japanese yen, and Singapore dollars estimated at RM10,000, as well as RM3,000 in cash.
The total losses were approximately RM173,000.
He is alleged to have committed the offence at a house in Taman Desa, Brickfields, at 4pm on 18 Dec.
He was charged under Section 457 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of five year's jail and a fine.
If the offence involves theft, imprisonment can be extended to 14 years, with repeat offences punishable by a fine or whipping upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nursyuhada Husna Sulaiman did not propose bail.
However, defence lawyer Mohammad Arifin Abdul Wahab appealed for bail, saying that the accused has family responsibilities, including supporting three children who are still in school and providing maintenance for his ex-wife.
Magistrate Noorelynna Hanim Abd Halim granted Koh bail of RM6,000 with one surety and set March 10 for mention. — BERNAMA