Two Malaysian police officers, lance corporals TS Praveen and Muhammad Safri Idris, both 31 years old, were arrested and charged with allegedly robbing an Indonesian tourist on 13 April in Melaka, according to a report by Bernama.
The two policemen are being charged with allegedly robbing a 42-year-old Indonesian woman at the Budget Hotel AMT Hotel Plaza Mahkota located in Melaka on 3 April between 10 to 11.30 pm.
The alleged victim had lodged a police report about the incident the next day on 4 April.
According to court documents, the two cops had allegedly worked in tandem to rob the woman of about RM 1,800 worth of items (or SGD$545), including her ATM card, a piece of jewellery and her Indonesian passport.
They are also being charged with holding on to the woman’s passport illegally, under Section 12(1)(1) of the Passports Act 1966.
If convicted, the crooked duo faces up to 20 years in prison and caning, as well as another 5 more years and another RM 10,000 (SGD$3,025) fine for illegally possessing the woman’s Indonesian passport.
The two policemen had their bail amount set at RM 9,0900 (or SGD $2,723), with the deputy public prosecutor asking the Ayer Keroh Sessions court to set their bail to RM15,000 (or SGD $4,538).
The DPP also requested that the two police officers be ordered to not disturb the Indonesian women before the start of their trial.
According to a report by The Star, Melaka police officer Christopher Patit said that the two men were “not even from here”, and that they were from two different police stations located outside of Melaka.
One of the policed in Merlimau, which is to the south of Melaka; while the other one policed in the Rembau police HQ in Negri Sembilan.
Both officers have denied committing the robbery, maintaining their innocence and are claiming trial, and their next court hearing has been scheduled for 23 May.
Header image source: Screenshot from The Star on YouTube.