The Magistrate’s Court yesterday sentenced local man Mohammad Kamarrudin bin Haji Parsih, 41, to 15 months’ jail with three whipping for the possession of an offensive weapon in public.
Prosecutor Abdul Musawwir bin Haji Mahli’s charges against Mohammad Kamarrudin were of the defendant possessing a machete at a restaurant on November 3, 2023 and at a commercial complex in Kampong Kiulap on February 27. Magistrate Abdul ‘Azim bin Othman heard that Mohammad Kamarrudin, an unemployed divorcee, was squatting beneath the stairs of the commercial complex.
The incident in Kampong Kiulap led to the defendant’s arrest.
A member of the public was waiting in his car when he saw Mohammad Kamarrudin brandishing a machete while muttering to himself.
Concerned for public safety, the public member reported the incident to the police, leading to the defendant’s arrest later that day. During police investigations, Mohammad Kamarrudin admitted to owning and using the machete to intimidate individuals he perceived as rude to him.
The court, recognising the dangerous nature of the defendant’s actions, underlined the potential harm that could have been inflicted, adding that it was fortunate that no injuries occurred, but stressed the need to send a strong message against such lawless behaviours. – Fadley Faisal
