Man Accused of Arson: Six Family Homes Destroyed in Klang

KLANG: A 44-year-old man claimed trial at the Sessions Court here on Wednesday to a charge of burning down six of his family members' houses in Kampung Johan Setia last week. Jefery Johar was charged with committing mischief by fire for burning down the houses in Kampung Johan Setia between 2pm and 2.30pm on Jan 13. The unemployed man was charged under Section 436 of the Penal Code which provides a jail term of up to 20 years and a fine if convicted. Jefery was charged before Judge Sharifah Hascindie Syed Omar. DPP Nor Suhaili Abu Bakar did not ask for any bail amount but said if the court intended to exercise its discretion on the matter, the prosecution proposed a bail of RM10,000 for each of the six charges in addition to other conditions deemed appropriate. Jefery, who was unrepresented, told the court that he had not applied for any bail. Sharifah Hascindie decided that no bail should be granted and fixed March 31 for the case to be mentioned.