Doc denies damaging idols
THE STAR
IPOH: The son of a former assemblyman denied desecrating a Hindu temple here.
Dr Fathi Munzir Nadzri, 29, pleaded not guilty before Sessions judge Ikmal Hishan Mohd Tajuddin.
On a charge under Section 295 of the Penal Code, Dr Fatih Munzir was accused of damaging idols at the Sree Muneeswaran Amman Kovil temple here at about 5pm on April 24.
If found guilty, he could be jailed for two years or fined.
Dr Fathi Munzir was also charged under Section 6 of the Corrosive, Explosive and Dangerous Weapons Act with having a parang during the incident.
If convicted, he faces a jail term of up to 10 years and whipping.
The accused was represented by Mohamad Hafiz Jalaludin and Mior Fadhli Mior Shaifuddin while state prosecution director Yusaini Amer Abdul Karim prosecuted.
Yusaini urged the court to allow the accused to be referred to Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta for psychological evaluation for a month, citing Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code. This request was allowed by the judge.
The judge then set bail at RM8,000 with one surety for both charges pending the evaluation.
There was heavy police presence at the court compound while waiting for the police convoy bringing in the accused.
His father, former Manjoi assemblyman Datuk Nadzri Ismail, was also in court with other family members yesterday.
The judge then fixed May 30 for mention of the case.
Dr Fathi Munzir, clad in a black and grey shirt, was hugged by his family members before being led away by policemen after the proceedings.
Meanwhile, Health Ministry director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said yesterday that Dr Fathi Munzir had not declared any psychological illness with the ministry or the Malaysian Medical Council.
He said Dr Fathi Munzir had worked for five days as a houseman at a Government hospital and resigned two days before the incident.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar has said the accused Dr Fatih Munzir did indeed seek treatment for mental illness, but it was done at a private hospital in Ipoh.
“Let the police handle the matter,” said Dr Noor Hisham.
