From wheelchairs to facial hair trims, Malaysians are adept at finding ingenious ways to escape jail

 

IT has become a bit of a standing joke that those called to the docks in Malaysian courts to face criminal charges or civil suits often appear in wheelchairs, walking frames or even breathing apparatus in an attempt to gain public/court sympathy.

Not content with medical apparatus, it seems some defendants and their legal counsel are finding even more ingenious ways to escape the clutches of the law.

This seemed to the prevailing sentiment among online observers to news that fears of a shave was cited as a reason to be granted bail!

Apparently, the defence team for businessman Datuk Mahadi Badrul Zaman a.k.a. Mahadi BZ who is charged with running a securities business without a licence has appealed for him to be released on bail as the defendant fears that his beard will be shaved if he is held in prison until his case is heard.

Lawyer Datuk Mohd Zamri Mohd Idrus who represents the husband of singer and activist Heliza Helmi, 43, said this during the appeal session before judges Azrul Darus and Norma Ismail.

Ultimately, the court allowed the bearded prisoner to be granted bail of RM50,000 with one surety as well as additional conditions as proposed by the prosecution.

The reaction across social media was one of disbelief. This threat of a beard trim was shared on Astro Awani’s Facebook platform with some even questioning the veracity of the report.

The sense of shock and disbelief that this could even be used as a reason to be granted bail was summed up by this commenter’s response.

Similar sentiments were also expressed on the Malaysian Gazette’s Facebook page with one commenter wryly noting the ingenious reasons proffered – “from wheelchair to janggut (beard) now”.

It was not the end of the world, proclaimed one commenter. So what if you are required to trim or shave the beard?  Or is this merely the brilliant idea of the legal counsel?

It was also observed that this defendant had bigger problems to worry about apart from having his beard trimmed/cut off – the long arms of the law has caught up with him!

On the Suara Viral FB site, there were presumptions of guilt by one commenter who insinuated the fact that the defendant was abusing religion to fund an escape route.

Religious significance notwithstanding, the question that needs to be asked is “where does one draw the line?”

The court’s acceptance of this reasoning will surely prompt many a defendant to cultivate fancy facial hair – not as a fashion statement nor as a sign of religious piety but a convenient ‘Get Out of Jail’ card. 

 - Focus Malaysia