Skudai Deepavali fireworks stunt ends in court for four, one just 16

Police officers escort one of the four accused (centre) charged with negligent conduct for setting off fireworks on a public road out of the Johor Bahru Magistrate’s Court on November 11, 2026. — Picture by Ben Tan

By Ben Tan

First Published: Wednesday, 11 Nov 2026 4:05 PM MYT

JOHOR BAHRU, Nov 11 — Four men, including a secondary school student, claimed trial at the Magistrate’s Court here today to charges of setting off fireworks on a main road during Deepavali last Sunday.

The accused – P. Ruban, 20; S. Tharun, 18; H. Periuthiv, 19; and a 16-year-old – entered their pleas after the charges were read to them separately.

Their pleas were recorded before four different magistrates: A. Shaarmini, Atifah Hazimah Wahab, Nurzihan Abdul Rehman and Nur Fatin Mohamad Farid.

According to the charge sheets, all of the accused allegedly acted negligently with fireworks, an explosive substance, on a public road occupied by other vehicles, in a manner that could have caused harm to others.

The incident allegedly took place at 1.30am last Sunday on Jalan Skudai-Gelang Patah, near the Taman Nesa traffic lights junction in Skudai.

Ruban, Tharun and Periuthiv were charged under Section 286 of the Penal Code for negligent conduct with respect to an explosive substance, which carries a maximum sentence of six months’ imprisonment, a fine of up to RM2,000, or both upon conviction.

The 16-year-old who cannot be identified under the Child Act was charged under the same section and, if convicted, could be subject to various court orders, including being discharged with a warning, entering into a good-behaviour bond with conditions set by the court, paying a fine, performing community service, or being sent to an approved school or the Henry Gurney School.

Deputy Public Prosecutors Eizlan Azhar, Adilah Farzana Che Ad, Izdhiyah Zahirah Ahmad Ghazali and Nor Hidayah Mohd Tarmizi proposed bail of RM3,000 and RM10,000 respectively.

However, lawyer T. Monisha Dhaarcayinii, who represented all the accused, asked for the bail amounts to be reduced.

She said her clients did not pose a flight risk.

The court set bail at between RM1,500 and RM3,000 for each of the accused and fixed December 3 for mention and submission of documents.

Separately, two other men – M. Rubenkumar, 23, and Muhammad Irsyad, 19 – claimed trial to charges of riding motorcycles in a manner likely to cause danger or unreasonable obstruction to traffic.

The charges were read to them separately before Nur Fatin.

Each was accused of riding a motorcycle in circles, at the same location and time as the fireworks incident.

They were charged under Section 48(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for obstructing vehicles, which carries a maximum penalty of one year’s imprisonment, a fine of up to RM5,000, or both upon conviction.

The prosecution was conducted by Traffic Prosecuting Officer Inspector Mohd Khairul Azhar Pakrudin, while both accused were represented by Monisha.

Each was granted bail of RM2,500 with one surety, and the case was fixed for mention on December 11.

Last Sunday, it was reported that police were searching for a group of men suspected of setting off fireworks on a main road in Skudai.

Four men were arrested later that day.

Three more men were arrested yesterday in connection with the incident.

Of the seven men arrested, six were later charged in court, while the other was released on bail and will serve as a prosecution witness.