Man in Kuching fined RM3,000 for scratching SUV

KUCHING (Sept 10): A 47-year-old man was fined RM3,000 in default 12 months in jail by the Magistrates’ Court here today for committing mischief by scratching a sports utility vehicle (SUV).

Magistrate Ling Hui Chuan imposed the fine on Wong Jing Wen after he pleaded guilty to a charge under Section 427 of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term between one and five years or a fine, or both, upon conviction.

Wong committed the offence at a parking lot of a supermarket in Moyan, Jalan Batu Kawa-Matang at around 3pm on Sept 3, 2024.

Based on the facts of the case, the complainant, a 48-year-old man, had parked his car at the aforementioned address.

Upon returning home, he discovered a scratch on the front left side of his SUV’s passenger seat, believed to be caused by someone. The estimated damage was RM300.

Following a police report, Wong was arrested on Sept 5, 2024. Further investigation revealed that Wong’s act of scratching the vehicle was clearly captured on the complainant’s dashcam.

It is believed that Wong’s action was motivated by dissatisfaction after the complainant allegedly took a photo of Wong’s car with tinted windows and reported it to the Road Transport Department (JPJ).

The case was prosecuted by Insp Nur Shafiqa Nyaie Ilin while Wong was unrepresented by a counsel.