Man fit to stand trial over attack on Hindu temple

IPOH: A medical graduate charged with damaging statues at a Hindu temple here last month is fit to stand trial, the Sessions Court was told today.
DPP Fadhli Ab Wahab told the court that a psychiatric report dated May 19 from Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta in Tanjung Rambutan stated that Fathi Munzir Nadzri, 29, was fit for trial.
Fathi Munzir, who appeared in court today for mention of the case, claimed trial after the charge was read out to him before Judge D. Sunita Kaur Jessy.
He is alleged to have damaged statues at the Sree Muneeswaran Aman Temple in front of Angsana Mall at about 5pm on April 24 and is also alleged to have had a machete in his possession at the time.
Under Section 295 of the Penal Code, Fathi Munzir can be sentenced to a maximum two years jail or a fine, or both, upon conviction for damaging the statues.
On the charge of having a machete, under Section 6(1) of the Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act 1958, he can be sentenced to a maximum 10 years jail and caned upon conviction.
On April 29, the court ordered Fathi Munzir to undergo an examination and treatment for a month at Hospital Bahagia.
It had allowed him bail of RM8,000 in one surety, which was paid on May 25 after he was found fit to stand trial.
The court set June 29 for mention and case management.
At today's proceedings, Fathi Munzir was represented by counsel Mohamad Hafiz Jalaludin and Mior Fadhli Mior Shaifuddin.
Also present were five lawyers led by temple committee chairman A. Silvanathan who were holding a watching brief for the temple committee and the Hindu community. — Bernama