Syafiq Stewart Abdullah, 45, pleaded not guilty after the charges were read to him before Seremban sessions court judge Mazni Nawi, Bernama reported.

On two of the charges, he is accused of cheating a man by claiming to be a legitimate lawyer on Nov 18, 2021. On the third count, he allegedly did the same to another man on March 2, 2022.

The offences were allegedly committed at the Seremban court complex.

The charges for cheating by personation were framed under Section 416 of the Penal Code, which provides for up to seven years’ jail or a fine, or both, upon conviction.

The deputy public prosecutor sought a RM10,000 bail for each charge but Syafiq’s lawyer, Ahmad Zahid Abu Hashim, pleaded for a lower amount.

Zahid said Syafiq had been jobless for a year and only earned a meagre income as an independent preacher.

He said Syafiq, who has high blood pressure, also had to look after his wife and two children.

The judge allowed the accused to post bail at RM5,000 for each charge in one surety and fixed Dec 9 for mention.