KUCHING: The Sessions Court here sentenced a drug addict to five years’ imprisonment and one stroke of the cane for possessing a scheduled sharp weapon — a knife — at a primary school without lawful purpose last November.
Awang Zulkipli, 44, pleaded guilty before Judge Jason Juga to the charge framed under Section 6(1) of the Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act 1958.
Upon conviction, the offence carries a sentence of up to 10 years’ imprisonment and whipping.
He was found in possession of a knife without reasonable excuse at a public place — the car park of a primary school in Serian — around 2 pm on Nov 25.
Based on the case facts, a school staff member was informed by a teacher that her car had been knocked by a man wielding a knife.
The complainant later checked with the school’s security guard regarding the suspect’s identity, but he was not recognised.
Fearing for the safety of students and teachers, a police report was lodged for further action.
Awang was later arrested on Dec 4 at a house in Kampung Lintang, Serian. Investigations found that he had carried the knife without reasonable excuse in a public place within the school compound.
The court was informed that he is currently serving a prison sentence for drug abuse-related offences.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohamad Aiman Mutallib Mohamad Shariff prosecuted the case, while Awang was unrepresented by counsel.
