IPOH, 2 May 2025 – Two men, including a Taiwanese national, were charged in two separate Sessions Courts in Ipoh today over a series of violent attacks involving fire and Molotov cocktails that took place in Kampar and Kinta districts between March and April this year.
The accused, Kok Wan Liang, 37, a local freight forwarder, pleaded guilty to all five charges, while his 25-year-old Taiwanese friend, Lin Jia He, claimed trial after the charges were read in Mandarin.
According to court documents, the duo allegedly committed mischief using fire by throwing glass bottles filled with petrol at homes located in Taman Bandar Baru, Kampar and Kampung Baru Kuala Kuang, Kinta between 2.50am and 4.30am on April 10, 2025. Lin is also accused of committing a similar offence at the same location on March 25.
Both were charged under Section 436 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine upon conviction.
Judge Ainul Shahrin Mohamad allowed bail at RM5,000 per charge for Lin with one Malaysian surety, while Kok was denied bail due to his guilty plea.
In a separate court, the pair faced three additional charges for similar acts of arson, including causing injury to a pet Rottweiler in Panorama Lapangan Perdana, Kinta and Taman Bandar Baru between 2 to 8 April 2025.
For those offences, they were also charged under Section 29(1)(E) of the Animal Welfare Act 2015 (Act 772), which covers cruelty to animals.
Judge Azizah Ahmad maintained the no bail ruling for Kok, while Lin was again allowed bail at RM5,000 per charge and ordered to surrender his passport to the court.
The prosecution was led by Deputy Public Prosecutors S. Vitthiyeswary and NM Moganaraj Mithra, while RR Segaran represented Lin. Kok did not have legal representation.
The court fixed 23 July 2025 for mention and submission of case documents. — Bernama
