Three Universiti Malaya undergraduates were charged this morning with attempted arson, vandalism and criminal trespass.

The alleged incident occurred just hours before the premier's wife Rosmah Mansor visited the institution on June 24 this year to launch a donation campaign for Gaza.

NONE The trio - Shazni Munir Mohd Ithnin, Muhammad Aizat Roslan and Muhammad Saufi Jelani - claimed trial before Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court judge SM Komathy Suppiah in a courtroom packed with their friends and family members

Komathy heard the matter as the original presiding judge Rozana Ali Yusof was on leave. The students were represented by Mohamad Arfizi Mohd Ramli and Zulhazmi Shariff.

DPP Mohd Mukhzany Fariz Mohd Mokhtar appeared for the prosecution.

The three students, who are first and second year students from the Islamic Studies Faculty of Universiti Malaya, were charged with:-

  • attempting to commit arson under Section 436 of the Penal Code with the use of fire at the Faculty of Islamic Studies at about 4am on June 24;

  • allegedly committing criminal trespassing under Section 447 of the Penal Code at the same place and time; and

  • alegedly pouring petrol and vandalism under Section 427 of the Penal Code at the same place and time.

Jail up to 10 years' for arson

Under Section 436, an accused is liable to face up to 10 years jail or fine; while under Section 447 for criminal trespass, they are liable to six months' jail or a fine of up to RM3,000. Under Section 427 for vandalism, they stand to face a maximum jail term of two years or fine or both.

Mohd Mukhzany applied bail at RM10,000 with one surety as these were serious offences and arson was a non-bailable offence. He also applied that they report to the nearest police station every month.

Mohamad Arfizi submitted that all three accused were still studying, and as such imposing a high amount of bail would be a heavy burden to them and their parents.

"They had also co-operated with the police as they had surrendered themselves," said Mohamad Arfizi in asking the court to reduce the bail amount.

The investigating officer agreed with the lawyer when asked by Komathy if the three accused had co-operated with the police.

She then decided to set bail RM3,500 for each of them with one surety.

On July 13, two other UM students, Mohd Izzuddin Hilmi Mohamad Zaini and Mohd Syahruldeen Ahmad Rosli were charged with the same offence.

Mohamad Izzuddin and Muhammad Syahrul were also present at the proceedings this morning.

Komathy fixed Jan 12 for mention and agreed to the prosecution's application for a joint trial.