PUTRAJAYA: A 39-year-old businessman and father of 10 linked to Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings (GISB) claimed trial to a charge of criminal intimidation against a woman at a Magistrate’s Court here.
Mohamad Riza Makar pleaded not guilty before magistrate Ahmad Afiq Hasan yesterday.
The accused was charged with threatening a 25-year-old woman for her refusal to withdraw a police report she had lodged.
According to the charge sheet, Mohamad Riza allegedly threatened the victim when he uttered: “Kami tahu dekat mana rumah, suami dan keluarga (We know where your house, husband and family are).”
He allegedly committed the offence at the Galeria parking lot in Presinct 4 here at about 10pm on Sept 9.
He was charged under Section 506 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation, which carries a maximum of two years’ jail or a fine, or both, upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Sabri Othman, who prosecuted the case, asked for bail to be set at RM30,000 with two sureties, the accused’s passport to be surrendered to the court and for him to report to the police station once a month.
However, lawyer Zulfikri Ulul Azmin, who represented Mohamad Riza, argued that the amount was too high, noting that his client is only a businessman with a monthly income of RM4,000, with three wives and 10 children to care for.
The lawyer added that the offence did not involve any serious threats, while claiming that his client had no links to any cases related to the controversial GISB, which hogged the headlines lately with police raids on the children’s care centres under it.
DPP Mohd Sabri disagreed, saying that Mohamad Riza’s alleged offence had affected the victim’s mental state. He also refuted Zulfikri’s contention that his client is not related to GISB.
“This argument is against the oral statement that was recorded. The accused clearly stated that he is a member of GISB,” he said.
When asked to make a statement to support his request for lower bail, Mohamad Riza said one of his wives had just given birth and the child’s birth was not even registered yet.
In hot water: Mohamad Riza has been charged with criminal indimidation at a Putrajaya magistrate court. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
He added that he needed money to prepare for his children returning to school.
“Since it’s school holidays now, I have to care for my 10 children and pay for their activities and school preparations,” the accused said.
Magistrate Ahmad Afiq allowed bail at RM10,000 with one surety, and asked that Mohamad Riza surrender his passport to the court and report to the police station nearest to his residence once a month.
He was also told not to harass, approach or contact the victim while the case is pending. The case is set for mention on Oct 18.
