Former Malaysian footballer who jumped bail brought before court

Malaysian Thanasegar S. Sinnaiah who jumped bail two years ago, was re-arrested and brought before a Special Sitting of Criminal Mentions at the State Courts on Sunday morning. -- PHOTO: ST FILE
Malaysian Thanasegar S. Sinnaiah who jumped bail two years ago, was re-arrested and brought before a Special Sitting of Criminal Mentions at the State Courts on Sunday morning. -- PHOTO: ST FILE

SINGAPORE - Malaysian Thanasegar S. Sinnaiah who jumped bail two years ago, was re-arrested and brought before a Special Sitting of Criminal Mentions at the State Courts on Sunday morning.

The 40-year-old businessman and former Malaysian footballer was previously charged with intentionally helping to arrange a meeting between Shokri Nor, a part-time soccer referee with the Football Association of Malaysia, and Singaporean Selvarajan Letchuman, where they allegedly conspired to fix a football match.

The alleged meeting took place in a hotel room in Penang on May 19, 2012 where the Malaysian referee received RM500 (S$200) and was offered up to RM15,000 (S$5,855) if the desired outcome for the match between LionsXII and Sarawak FA, played in Singapore on May 22, 2012, was achieved.

Thanasegar did not have a lawyer and no plea was entered. Deputy Public Prosecutor Shaun Lee pressed for bail to be revoked, citing the previous bail of $50,000 and that Thanasegar's passport was impounded, did not prevent him from fleeing. District Judge ordered no bail for Thanasegar and a pre-trial conference has been set for Aug 29.

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