Crime and Punishment: A Cleaner’s Desperate Plea
A Tale of Poverty and Crime
In George Town, a 47-year-old cleaner, C Murli, was sentenced to 11 months in jail and fined RM2,000 by Magistrate Azlan Basri on March 6, 2025. The sentence was handed down after Murli pleaded guilty to breaking into the Komtar assemblyman’s service centre to steal office funds on December 26, 2024.
The Crime
According to the facts of the case, on December 27, an office worker discovered that a drawer containing a cash bag had been rummaged through and that RM7,259 in cash meant for utility payments was missing. The worker reviewed the CCTV footage and saw the man breaking into the office and stealing the money. His fingerprints were also found at the scene.
The Sentence
Magistrate Azlan Basri handed down the sentence on C Murli, who was unrepresented in court. Murli’s lawyer, who was not present in court, had pleaded for a lighter sentence, citing that Murli only earns RM50 a day as a cleaner. However, Deputy Public Prosecutor Syairah Aqilah Khalil requested an appropriate sentence, considering the severity of the crime.
A Plea for Mercy
Murli’s lawyer, who was not present in court, argued that his client’s poverty was the driving factor behind the crime. He stated that Murli’s daily income of RM50 as a cleaner was insufficient to meet his basic needs, leading him to resort to crime. The lawyer pleaded with the court to consider his client’s circumstances and impose a lighter sentence.
Conclusion
The case of C Murli highlights the harsh realities of poverty and the desperation that can lead individuals to commit crimes. While the court must ensure that justice is served, it is also important to consider the underlying factors that contribute to such crimes. As the debate surrounding poverty and crime continues, society must come together to address the root causes of poverty and provide support to those in need.
FAQs
- What was C Murli charged with?
- Breaking into the Komtar assemblyman’s service centre to steal office funds
- What was the sentence imposed on C Murli?
- 11 months in jail and a fine of RM2,000
- Why did C Murli’s lawyer plead for a lighter sentence?
- Citing C Murli’s poverty and daily income of RM50 as a cleaner, which was insufficient to meet his basic needs.