KUCHING: A representative of a licensed moneylending company claimed trial in the Sessions Court here today to a charge of harassing and threatening a female bar owner two years ago.
The 47-year-old accused pleaded not guilty to the charge read before Judge Noorhisham Mohd Jaafar.
According to the charge, the accused, acting as a moneylender for a company, allegedly harassed a 36-year-old woman debtor at her place of business, a bar along Jalan Tun Jugah, at about 11.40 pm on Oct 3, 2023.
He was charged under Section 29B(1) of the Moneylenders Act 1951, which provides for imprisonment of up to three years, or a fine of between RM50,000 and RM250,000, or both, upon conviction.
For a second or subsequent offence, the offender may also be liable to caning as an additional punishment.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Chuah Kai Sheng proposed bail at RM10,000 in cash with two local sureties.
However, defence counsels Jackson Ngu and Daniel Ling sought a reduction to RM2,000 with one local surety, submitting that the accused was not a flight risk as he had family responsibilities and was gainfully employed.
The court allowed bail at RM5,000 in cash with one local surety and ordered the accused to report to the nearest police station once a month until the case is disposed of.
The case was fixed for mention for case management on Feb 26.
