Man jailed 69 months for stealing from mosque and surau donation boxes in Melaka

MELAKA – A man was sentenced to 69 months' jail by the Ayer Keroh Magistrate's Court today after pleading guilty to nine charges, including stealing cash totalling more than RM3,000 from mosques, suraus and a madrasah in the district over the past five years.

Magistrate Nur Afiqah Radhiah Zainurin passed the sentence after accepting the guilty plea of the accused, Mu'ammar Raid Abdul Malik, 37, immediately after the charges were read out by the court interpreter.

Under four charges framed under Section 380 of the Penal Code, the accused stole RM3,000 belonging to Madrasah Al Jariah Kampungku Sayang inside a building used as a place of worship at 2.30am on Nov 25, 2025.

He also stole donation box money belonging to Surau Kampung Pengkalan Lanjut, Tanjung Kling at 4.45am on March 30, 2026, and Surau Al Karim, Kampung Gedong Lalang at 6.38pm on March 31, 2026. The section provides for up to 10 years' jail and a fine upon conviction, while a second or subsequent offence carries mandatory imprisonment and may also carry a fine or whipping.

The accused was also found to have attempted to steal donation money from Masjid As-Syakirin, Pasir Puteh, Bachang at 11.10pm on Aug 16, 2021, a charge read together with Section 511 of the Penal Code, under which any jail term must not exceed half the maximum provided for the offence.

Two further charges were brought under Section 447 of the Penal Code for criminal trespass by entering the compound of Masjid As-Syakirin Pasir Puteh without permission on the same date and time, and entering Surau Al Mustaqim in Batu Berendam at 3.22am on Nov 29, 2025. That section provides for up to six months' jail or a fine of up to RM3,000, or both.

On the seventh charge, the accused broke into Surau An-Naim, Klebang Besar with intent to steal at 4.30am on Nov 28, 2025, under Section 457 of the Penal Code, which carries up to five years' jail and a fine, extendable to 14 years for a second or subsequent offence.

He was further charged on two counts under Regulation 25(1)(n) of the National Registration Regulations 1990 for failing to produce his identity card when asked by police on Aug 16, 2021, and July 18, 2026. That offence carries up to three years' jail or a fine of up to RM20,000, or both.

Deputy public prosecutor Siti Nur Alia Safri handled the prosecution, while the accused, who is unemployed, was unrepresented.