Two Filipinos charged with gang robbery

KOTA KINABALU: Two Filipinos claimed trial at the Sessions Court here yesterday to a charge of robbing a teenage boy of his smartphone at a shopping mall here.

Faizal Nasri, 25, and Abdul Kalam Abdul Wahid, 20, were separately charged before judge Azreena Aziz under Section 395 of the Penal Code, which provides for a jail term of up to 20 years and also liable to whipping, upon conviction.

They were alleged to have robbed Jailani Nurkis, 18, at the car park area, third floor of Centre Point here at 6.15pm on September 18.

Deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Husna Abdul Halim objected to bail as both accused were convicted with illegal entry under Section 6 (1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, for which they were jailed for four months, including one stroke of whipping for Faizal.

She also told the court that the prosecution would be calling five witnesses to testify against the accused persons.

The court fixed February 21 - 22 next year for trial and ordered Faizal and Abdul Kalam, who were not represented, to be further detained in custody, pending disposal of the case.

In another court, a jobless Filipino youth was charged with committing a similar offence.

Roslan Abdul Latip, 18, who was brought before judge Ainul Shahrin Mohamed, pleaded not guilty to the charge under Section 395 of the Penal Code.

He was accused of committing gang robbery together with another four men, who are still at large, against a 20-year-old Ivan Jeremy Victor of his wallet and a smartphone.

The alleged offence took place at pedestrian sidewalk next to Oceanus Mall here at 5.30pm on September 13.

Ainul fixed April 9 - 10 next year for trial and Roslan, who was not represented, was further detained in custody, pending disposal of the case.

DPP Dinesh Raja, who stood in for DPP Akmalzatul Mohamed Nawi, prosecuted.