Two undergraduates will go on trial from Dec 7-11 for allegedly vandalising property at Universiti Malaya by scrawling derogatory graffiti about Rosmah Mansor, wife of the premier.

NONEMohd Izzuddin Hilmi Mohamad Zaini (blue shirt), and Mohd Syahruldeen Ahmad Rosli (orange shirt) both 21, are charged with trespass, arson and writing graffiti.

These are offences under sections 427, 436 and 447 respectively of the Penal Code.

Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court judge Rozana Ali Yusoff maintained bail at RM5,000 for each. Both had claimed trial when the case was first mentioned on June 30.

They face another charge in the KL Magistrate’s Court, under Section 14 of the Road Traffic Act for an illegible motorcycle number plate. The hearing has been set from June 24-25 next year.

Both students were represented by lawyers Mohamad Arfizi Mohd Ramli, Ahmad Zamri Khuzaimi and Saidatul Karimah Nasron.

Speaking to reporters outside the court, Ahmad Zamri said he hopes the campus authorities will not take action that could disrupt their studies. He pointed out that the students should not be deemed guilty until proven so.

rosmah mansor pc 010708 04Izzuddin and Syahruldeen, along with three others, are said to have vandalised a lecture hall with words such as pembunuh Altantuya (Altantuya’s murderer) and bini puaka (evil wife) in reference to Rosmah (right), ahead of an event that she was to have attended.

In the incident that allegedly occurred at 4am on June 24, the students also allegedly splashed petrol on a carpet that Rosmah was to walk on.

If found guilty, they could face a combination of penalties:

  • Section 427 carries a maximum jail sentence of two years, a fine or both

  • Section 436 carries a maximum jail sentence of 10 years, a fine or both

  • Section 447 carries a six-month jail sentence, a maximum fine of RM3,000, or both

Police are still looking for the other three suspects.

Conversation with official

Izzuddin and Syahruldeen have resumed their Syariah degree course with the start of the new semester about a week ago.

Syahruldeen said he had been called in for a short session last Friday with the university’s vice- chancellor Dr Ghaiuth Jasmon, to explain the events of June 24.

“I told him that I was not the perpetrator,” he said, adding that the university has been co-operative in handling the matter.

Izzuddin likened his session with the vice-chancellor to a “father-and-son conversation”.

The campus authorities had earlier said they have yet to decide on suspending the duo, as the matter is still being investigated.