Student assaults cousin over dad’s neglect

KUCHING: A 20-year-old diploma student at a skills institution appeared in the Magistrates’ Court today (Jan 5) charged with assaulting his 18-year-old male cousin on Dec 31.

The student claimed that his cousin had neglected their father, who had been left unattended in the hospital for a month due to a chronic illness.

He pleaded guilty to the charge under Section 323 of the Penal Code for intentionally causing injury by punching the victim’s head at a 24-hour convenience store on Green Hill Street around 1.06 am.

If found guilty, he could face up to one year in prison, a fine of up to RM2,000, or both. Magistrate Zubaidah Sharkawi granted him bail of RM2,000, with his father as a guarantor, while awaiting a social report scheduled for Feb 9.

The complainant reported to the police that he had been punched in the head by the accused, causing pain and injury with medical reports supported the injuries sustained during the incident.

Inspector Prosecutor Nur Shafiqa Nyaie Ilin handled the prosecution, while the accused was without legal representation.

The incident stemmed from the accused’s dissatisfaction with the complainant’s neglect of their father’s care during his month-long hospitalisation due to a chronic illness.

The complainant alleged that the accused’s family had prohibited him from visiting their father, a claim the accused denied, insisting that no such prohibition existed.

The complainant’s mother stated that he should not visit his father alone, insisting that she be present during such visits.