SEREMBAN: A freelance religious teacher has claimed trial at the Sessions Court here to three charges of impersonating an advocate and solicitor.
Muhammad Syafiq Stewart Abdullah, 45, pleaded not guilty after the charges were read to him before Judge Mazni Nawi.
For the first two charges, he allegedly deceived a man into believing that he was a qualified lawyer on Nov 18, 2021 at the Seremban 2 court complex.
For the third charge, he was charged with deceiving another individual on March 2, 2022 for the same offence at the Seremban 2 court complex.
Muhammad Syafiq was charged under Section 416 of the Penal Code, which is punishable under Section 419 with jail up to seven years, or a fine, or both upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Ashrof Kamarul offered the accused bail of RM10,000 for each charge pending remention.
However Muhammad Syafiq's lawyer Ahmad Zahid Abu Hashim appealed for a minimal amount as the accused has been unemployed for a year.
He said the accused also had to provide for two young children and his wife who only recently found employment as a legal executive.
"My client has been freelancing as a religious teacher at a surau and masjid. He gets only between RM100 and RM200 for each session," he said, adding that the accused had been under remand for four days.
Judge Mazni then set bail at RM5,000 for each charge and fixed Dec 9 for remention.
