BATU PAHAT: An oil palm farmer was sentenced to five months in prison after pleading guilty to attempting to attack a police officer with a parang on Wednesday (Nov 6).
Magistrate Suhaila Shafi'uddin handed down the sentence at the magistrate's court here today.
The defendant, Muhamad Hamizan Kosdi, 29, was charged with using criminal force against a police officer by brandishing a parang with the intent to obstruct the officer in carrying out his duties.
The incident occurred at 5.10pm on Nov 6 at a palm oil plantation in Parit Raja.
According to prosecutors, during a police operation, the policemen approached a hut on the plantation.
When a policeman attempted to detain Muhamad Hamizan, he reacted aggressively, drew a parang, and pointed it at the policeman.
With assistance from other policemen, Muhamad Hamizan was arrested the following day and brought to the Batu Pahat district police headquarters for further investigation.
The charge was brought under Section 353 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of up to two years in prison, a fine, or both.
Deputy public prosecutor Farah Wahidah Mohd Sharip led the prosecution, while the defendant was represented by Normahani Raais from the National Legal Aid Foundation.
In an unexpected turn, the defence requested a prison sentence, as the defendant expressed remorse and a desire to reform.
After considering arguments from both sides, Suhaila imposed the five-month sentence, which is effective from the date of Muhamad Hamizan's arrest on Nov 6.