Hive of media activity as tahfiz fire suspects charged

KUALA LUMPUR: The Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah tahfiz arson case has drawn international attention because not only did 23 people die in the incident, but the suspects are all minors except for one 18-year-old.

Since 7am yesterday, reporters and photographers gathered at the Jalan Duta court complex to await the start of the proceedings.

Dozens of foreign news agency representatives joined in the media frenzy over the case that grabbed local and international headlines.

Reporters entered the magistrate’s court from 9am but around noon, they were asked to leave because the proceedings were to be held behind closed doors.

Of the seven youths arrested in connection with the arson, six appeared before three magistrates in separate courtrooms yesterday.

Photographs of the five minors, if any, could not be released to the media because their identities are protected under the Child Act 2001.

After two of the youths, both 16, were charged with murder – was no pleas recorded – the newsmen rushed to another magistrate’s court where some of the accused were to face drug charges as well.

Five of the youths were charged with taking drugs – including the two murder accused who pleaded guilty to those charges.

The newsmen had split into two groups, with some waiting at another magistrate's court for the charging of 18-year-old Mohamad Shahrulnizam Ikmal Shafi-in, who also pleaded guilty to drug use.

The murder accused and Mohamad Shahrulnizam will only know the sentence for their drug offences on Nov 28, when their cases come up for mention.