MELAKA: An alleged cable thief who led police on a 100km-long chase in Melaka has been slapped with six charges at the Magistrate's Court here.

The accused, T. Kerubahkaran, 29, pleaded not guilty when six charges were read against him in two separate proceedings before Magistrates Sharda Shienha Mohd Suleiman and Tuan Uthman Abd Ghani, reported Sinar Harian.

According to the charges before Sharda, he was accused of driving dangerously under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, which carries a penalty of up to five years in prison and a fine between RM5,000 and RM15,000 if convicted.

He was also charged with falsifying the registration number of the pickup truck he was driving, which carries a fine of RM5,000 to RM20,000 or 12 months to five years jail, or both, under Section 108(1) of the same Act.

Both acts were committed on the Alor Gajah-Melaka Tengah-Jasin Highway, at approximately 4.30am on May 6.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Wan Abdullah Mohd Rodzlad, proposed a bail of RM8,000 for the first charge and RM6,000 for the second charge.

The accused, who was unrepresented, pleaded for lower bail as he is married and has a five-month-old child with a heart defect.

Magistrate Sharda Shienha allowed bail at RM4,000 for both charges with one surety and set June 19 for the next mention of the case and document submission.

Meanwhile, in separate proceedings before Tuan Uthman, the accused was charged with three offences under Section 379 of the Penal Code read together with Section 34 of the same Code, which carries a penalty of up to seven years in prison or a fine, or both, for theft of cables owned by Telekom Malaysia Berhad.

The accused also faced up to two years in prison or a fine of up to RM10,000, or both, under Section 186 of the Penal Code for obstructing a public servant.

The accused was allowed bail of RM5,000 for all four charges and the same date, June 19, was set for the next mention of the case.