KAJANG: A man who punched a fireman who was trying to douse his burning car in Cheras last week was sentenced to six months' jail and RM6,000 fine by two separate magistrate's courts today.
Kan Hong Kit, 33, was sentenced after he pleaded guilty to two counts of obstructing a public servant and driving recklessly.
Magistrate Muhammad Noor Firdaus Rosli ordered the freelance event organiser to serve a month's jail for using criminal force to obstruct fireman Alfred Rudy Anak Tungku from discharging his duties.
Kan admitted committing the offence by the roadside at Jalan Suakasih Bandar Tun Hussein Onn, BT 9, Cheras, Hulu Langat, Selangor, at 10.40am on Oct 15.
The charge under Section 353 of the Penal Code carries a maximum two years' jail or a fine or both, if convicted.
Meanwhile, magistrate Syahrul Sazly Md Sain sentenced Kan to five months' jail and fined him RM6,000 on a charge of driving a Proton Persona car in a reckless manner and endangering the lives of other road users.
The court also ordered the accused's driving licence to be suspended for two years and for him to serve another three months' jail if he fails to pay the fine.
The offence was committed at Jalan Suadamai, Bandar Tun Hussein Onn in Kajang, Hulu Langat, Selangor at about 10.26am, the same day.
The charge under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, provides an imprisonment of up to five years and fine of between RM5,000 and RM15,000.
Kan was ordered to serve the jail terms beginning today.
In pleading for leniency, Kan said he was remorseful and apologised for his actions. He also promised not to repeat the offence.
"I am a part-timer and I have to care for both my parents. I am also a first offender," he said pleading for a fine to be imposed instead of jail time.
However, deputy public prosecutor Muhammad Hairuliqram Hairuddin urged for a custodial sentence saying that the offence took place during Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) and at times like these, the accused should have cooperated with the authorities who were carrying out their duties.
"He (Kan) should have given his cooperation to the firefighters who were trying to put out the fire to his car.
"He shouldn't have attacked the fireman and belittle the duty of civil servants especially the frontliners who are working hard to break the chain of Covid-19," Hairuliqram said, urging for a deterrent sentence.
He added that the court should also consider the fact that the accused's recklessness had caused damage to two other cars during the incident.
According to the statement of facts, during the incident, the accused came near a burning car while firemen were trying to put out the fire.
The accused was then told to calm down but instead acted aggressively by punching the fireman's left arm.
A video of Kan's actions has since gone viral.