KUALA LUMPUR, June 12 — A Rohingya labourer pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here today to robbing national badminton legend Datuk Razif Sidek at knifepoint at the latter’s home last month.

Mohamad Fawyas Yasin, 27, was accused of robbing Datuk Mohamad Razif Mohd Sidek, 64, at a house in Jalan Damansara, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, at about 12.20pm on May 19.

The charge was framed under Section 392 of the Penal Code, read together with Section 397 of the same law, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 14 years and may also include a fine or whipping upon conviction.

Deputy public prosecutor J. Banusha objected to bail, citing the seriousness of the offence and the accused’s expired United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) card.

“If bail is granted and the accused does not appear in court, it will be difficult to track his whereabouts since he does not have a fixed address.”

“In addition, the accused also knows the addresses of the victim and witnesses, so it is feared that the witnesses will be harassed,” she said.

Defence lawyer Mansheel Kaur sought low bail, telling the court that her client earned RM50 a day as a labourer and supported his unemployed wife and their 10-month-old child.

“The accused has lived in this country for 15 years and his UNHCR card is in the process of being renewed,” she said.

Judge Siti Shakirah Mohtarudin denied bail after finding there was no valid UNHCR card for the court to consider.

The court fixed July 14 for further mention of the case. — Bernama