A 38-year-old p-hailing rider admitted in a Magistrate’s Court in Ipoh on Wednesday (Aug 30) that he had made a false bomb threat the previous week.
The accused, Mohammad Nasriq Samsudin, was then sentenced to one day in jail and fined RM4,000 in default of five months’ imprisonment.
The charge, based on Section 507 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation through anonymous communication, carries a maximum sentence of two years’ imprisonment upon conviction.
Mohammad Nasriq had reportedly called an employee of a shopping mall and informed them that a bomb would detonate on the premises at 4.15pm on Aug 23.
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He was subsequently apprehended at 9.30pm on the same day.
When questioned by the magistrate about the motive behind his call, Mohammad Nasriq claimed that it was meant as a joke.
“I was only joking. I didn’t know that it was wrong to make the call,” he explained.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhammad Fahmi Kamaluddin requested a jail sentence considering the severity of the case.
“The call caused distress among the mall employees and visitors.
“Imprisonment would educate the accused about the seriousness of his actions,” he argued.
Siti Hajar Hamzah, the lawyer representing Mohammad Nasriq, expressed her client’s sincere remorse.
“His parents, who are present in court today, informed me that he received treatment at the Ulu Kinta Psychiatric Hospital in 2022,” she disclosed.
“Due to his medical history, he has struggled to secure a permanent job, and he now works part-time as a delivery driver, earning between RM20 and RM30 per day,” added Siti Hajar.
Siti Hajar urged the court to impose a minimal fine, emphasizing that this was Mohammad Nasriq’s first offence.
“Since the day of his arrest, my client has fully cooperated with the investigation. He was also granted police bail earlier,” she mentioned, noting that the accused is single and resides with his parents.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
