PETALING JAYA, Nov 19 — An Indonesian former security guard was charged with murdering his colleague while robbing an AmBank branch he was protecting of almost half a million ringgit, at the Magistrates Court here today.

La Ode Ardi Rasila was formally accused of fatally shooting bank officer Norazita Abu Talib, 37, in the AmBank branch in Subang Jaya on October 23.

He was charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code and Section 3 of the Firearms Act 1971.

The Indonesian had somehow gained employment with a security firm although only locals and Nepali ex-servicemen are allowed by law to work as security guards.

The murder-cum-robbery case has revealed the loopholes in a cut-throat private security industry that is marred by unscrupulous firms hiring illegal foreigners to meet an increasing demand fuelled by a fear of rising crime.

According to the charge sheet, La Ode was charged with murdering Norazita between 6pm and 6.30pm on October 23 at the AmBank branch, and with shooting her with deadly intent using a pump gun during the bank robbery, both of which are punishable by death if convicted.

La Ode, 36, was expressionless when the charges were read out to him this morning.

He was brought to the packed courtroom with his hands cuffed behind his back.

The police arrested La Ode in Johor Baru on November 10 and said that he had robbed AmBank of RM450,000, but they have only recovered RM20,000 thus far.

The Malay Mail has revealed that the guard is an Indonesian from Sulawesi who has stayed in Malaysia for at least 10 years.

The police say that La Ode, who went by the name of Ardi Hamza, had used a fake Malaysian identity card, rousing public anger and questions on how a foreigner could have obtained the MyKad and a firearm licence as a security guard.

La Ode’s case was transferred immediately to the Shah Alam High Court. The mention date has yet to be fixed.

The deputy public prosecutors are Muhamad Asyraf Md Kamal and Mohd Azari Harun.

La Ode’s Indonesian wife, Helpia Laohe, was charged separately at the Magistrates Court here with over-staying in Malaysia for four years, six months and eight days since April 16, 2009. She pleaded guilty.

The 35-year-old’s baby daughter was crying when Helpia was charged and only quieted down after the court police allowed her to carry the child.

Justice Elena Hong sentenced Helpia, who is unemployed and has three children, to six months’ jail from the date of arrest and subsequent deportation back to Indonesia.

Another Indonesian also pleaded guilty to over-staying in Malaysia and to another charge under Section 201 of the Penal Code of causing the disappearance of evidence, in relation to the AmBank case.

He was sentenced to a concurrent sentence of two years’ jail and two strokes of the cane.