Three boys from Myanmar, two aged 11 and one aged 12, pleaded not guilty in a Bukit Mertajam court to criminally intimidating a 71-year-old woman with weapons including a mop, an iron rod and stones.
The confrontation unfolded at approximately 6 p.m. on October 22 in front of a residence at 23, Tingkat Binjai Empat Belas, Taman Sri Rambai. In response, the boys allegedly retaliated by hurling a mop, an iron rod, a long white fluorescent light tube, and stones at her. Though the victim sustained no physical injuries, the incident left her frightened, prompting a formal police report.
Court Proceedings and Denied Bail
Police initially detained four boys aged nine to 12 on October 27 to assist with the investigation. Ultimately, formal charges under Section 506 of the Penal Code, read alongside Section 34, were brought against three of the youths before Magistrate Roshayati Radellah.
During the court session, Deputy Public Prosecutor Zulfadzli Hassan pressed for a strict bail condition. He requested RM4,000 for each accused, requiring a local surety, the surrender of travel documents, and bi-weekly check-ins at a nearby police station. He also asked for a restraining order to prevent the boys and their families from contacting the victim, emphasizing that the case involved intimidation directed at an elderly neighbour.
Representing the minors through the National Legal Aid Foundation (YBGK), lawyer Nur Najihah Ahmad Zulkarnain asked the court for leniency and lower bail terms. She outlined the modest financial realities of the families, noting that two of the boys attend school while an 11-year-old does not.
Legal Status and Next Steps
| Case Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date of Incident | October 22 |
| Location | Taman Sri Rambai, Bukit Mertajam, Penang |
| Defendants | Three Myanmar boys (two aged 11, one aged 12) |
| Charges | Section 506 read with Section 34 of the Penal Code |
| Maximum Penalty | Up to two years in prison, a fine, or both |
| Next Court Date | November 10 |
Magistrate Roshayati ultimately rejected the bail application. The decision prompted the three boys and their families to break down in tears inside the courtroom. The court scheduled the next mention for November 10 to allow for the submission of documents and the official appointment of a Myanmar interpreter, who will read the charges to the defendants again.
