KUALA LUMPUR – Six men and a teenager pleaded guilty at the magistrates’ court here today to causing a riot at a shopping mall here, as seen in a video footage that went viral recently.
Haikal Izwaanfazeede Razak, 29; Muhammad Johan Perumal, 34; Muhammad Farid Izzat Dzulkafli, 23; Muhammad Yadiy Na’im Dzulkafli, 27; Ismail Arif Haron, 31; Muhammad Dzulhakim Dzulkafli, 21; and a boy under 18 made the confession after the charges against them were read out before magistrate Tawfiq Affandy Chin.
The court imposed an RM800 fine on all six adults. They will face a one-month jail sentence if they fail to pay the fine.
The court, awaiting a report from the Social Welfare Department, did not impose a sentence on the minor, and allowed him bail at RM1,500 in one surety. It set February 8 for mention of the case.
Magistrate Tawfiq Affandy advised all of them not to be overcome by emotion and act irrationally, as such incidents may cause embarrassment and affect the country’s image.
“Incidents like this will scare away tourists... By right, this (sort of action) should be avoided and you should have left the place and filed a report instead,” he said.
The men, who are employees at the mall, when making their plea, said they acted out of anger and frustration over not being able to secure enough customers during the conditional movement control order.
They also apologised and promised not to repeat the offence.
All seven were charged with fighting in a public place and disturbing public order at Plaza Low Yat, Jalan Bulan, Off Jalan Bukit Bintang here at 5pm on December 4, according to Section 160 of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum jail term of six months, or a fine not exceeding RM1,000, or both.
On the day of the incident, several video clips went viral on social media showing a group of men fighting in front of a shopping mall, which then continued inside the premises. – Bernama, December 7, 2020
