Despatch rider pleads not guilty to causing fire in Taman Jaya

Budiman Shah Baharudin, 26, was charged with causing mischief by hurling a mineral water bottle containing petrol at a Proton Wira car owned by Muhammad Nor Fikri Razali, 20.

Apart from the Proton Wira, five other vehicles - a Proton Gen 2, Toyota Vios, Honda City, Suzuki Swift and Proton Saga FLX - were inadvertently on fire.

Budiman Shah's actions also caused fire to public property comprising a 30-metre long overhead pedestrian crossing, electric switchboard, concrete pole, concrete floor, advertisement board and a traffic light post, totalling RM449,600.

He was charged with committing the offence at Jalan Persiaran Barat here between 12.50pm and 1.15pm on Dec 21.

The accused who was wearing a cream-coloured t-shirt was accused of committing the offence under Section 435 of the Penal Code which carries a jail sentence of up to 14 years and a fine, if found guilty.

While deputy public prosecutor Shafiq Hasim objected to bail, defence lawyer Datuk Suraj Singh appealed to the court to consider bail as there was no risk of Budiman Shah fleeing the country.

"In this case, the accused lived with his guarantor (his mother), who will ensure his presence in court...there is no reason for him to flee.

"In addition, the accused is married and working as a despatch rider earning only RM800 a month and has to support his parents," said Suraj, adding that Budiman Shah was willing to accept any additional condition imposed on him by the court.

Judge Manira Mohd Nor allowed the accused who was arrested on the day of the incident to given RM10,000 bail in one surety, and fixed Jan 27 for re-mention of the case.