Elderly man jailed after failing to pay RM1,000 fine for slapping cop

Mat Saair Setapa was ordered to serve a one-month prison sentence after he was unable to pay a RM1,000 fine for slapping a policeman in Kuala Krai, Kelantan, on June 12. (Bernama pic)

KUALA KRAI: An elderly man was fined RM1,000 by the magistrate’s court here today after pleading guilty to a charge of slapping a policeman last week.

Magistrate Amal Razim Alias imposed the fine on Mat Saair Setapa, 66, and ordered him to serve one month’s imprisonment in default of payment.

The accused subsequently failed to pay the fine.

He was charged with intentionally causing hurt to a 29-year-old lance corporal by slapping him on the right cheek at an unnumbered house in Kampung Sungai Rek here at about 6.30pm on June 12.

The charge was framed under Section 323 of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum jail term of one year, a fine of up to RM2,000, or both.

The prosecution was conducted by deputy public prosecutor Mazlinda Nor while the accused was unrepresented.

According to the facts of the case, the accused was arrested after pushing the lance corporal from behind and slapping him on the right cheek when asked to produce his identity card.