KUALA LUMPUR: Controversial policewoman Sheila Sharon Steven Kumar better known as Insp Sheila who went viral on social media in June, has been charged with causing public nuisance.
Sheila, 35, pleaded not guilty yesterday before Magistrate Illi Marisqa Khalizan.
Illi Marisqa fixed bail at RM500 with one surety and set the next hearing for Dec 18.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Zuhairi Osman had earlier asked bail to be set at RM1,000.
According to the charge sheet, Sheila had caused public harm by being angry, pressing a car horn for a long time and yelling to the point of causing public nuisance on June 16 this year at 5.26pm at a parking lot of a shopping mall in Brickfields.
“Therefore, you have committed an offence under Section 268 of the Penal Code and can be punished under Section 290 of the same code. If convicted, you can be punished with a fine of up to RM400,” the charge sheet read.
Earlier in the court, lawyer M. Manoharan, who is representing Sheila, said the decision to charge his client under Section 268 was unreasonable and claimed it was an attempt to intimidate her.
He said the decision to charge someone simply for honking would set a bad precedent and cause fear among the public, adding that the charge against Sheila under Section 268 was the “first in the country’s history”.
“This sort of charges will cause fear among Malaysians because anyone can be charged simply for pressing the horn.
“This is a groundless charge because I’ve never heard a single Malaysian being charged under this section. This is the first in history.
“Why is this happening? It’s like the prosecution has nothing better to do.
“It’s very embarrassing to appear for such a charge before this court. It will only waste the court’s time and cost.
“I hope she will be released without any condition and her father who is present here will act as guarantor and ensure her attendance at every proceeding,” Manoharan told the court.
Previously, Sheila faced three charges of threatening and tarnishing the reputation of a lance corporal and two civilians before two judges, Magistrate Chai Guan Hock and Magistrate Nor Hafizah Rajuni.
Before Chai, Sheila was accused of threatening a woman with the intention to intimidate the victim under Section 506 of the Penal Code.
It carries a maximum punishment of two years’ imprisonment, or a fine, or both, upon conviction.
Sheila was also accused of insulting the modesty of a man under Section 509 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment, or a fine, or both, upon conviction.
Before Nor Hafizah, Sheila was charged with using improper language towards L/Kpl Abdul Arif Farhan Abdul Razak, with the intention to defame his honour.
All these offences were alleged to have happened at a restaurant in Selayang between noon and 1pm on June 15.
