A PASAR malam trader was charged in a Sessions Court in Kangar with allegedly torching the official car of Perlis mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin as police continue to track down one more suspect.

The accused, Mohd Azimar Abdul Razak Azimar, 36, from Kg Jelempok, Arau, was charged with committing the offence along with several others with the intention of causing damage to the vehicle at the mufti’s home in Jalan Pesiaran Wawasan about 5am on March 22.

Azimar now faces up to 14 years’ jail and a fine.

Azimar, who was represented by a counsel from the National Legal Aid Foundation, Najdah Romli, pleaded not guilty before judge Ainul Shahrin Mohamad.

Deputy public prosecutor Nurshuhada Mohd Yatim urged the court not to grant bail as the case was of public interest and that the vehicle belonged to the state government.

She said there was also a risk of Azimar repeating the action as well as a risk to his own safety as the case had gone viral.

However, Najdah urged for bail as Azimar had two children, aged nine and 11, and supporting his 46-year-old sister who had a stroke.

Ainul allowed a RM8,000 bail in one surety and ordered Azimar to report to the investigating officer on the first of every month and to stay away from the victim, his family or close family members.

She then set July 2 for mention. – Bernama, May 25, 2019.