KUCHING: A food seller was fined a total of RM11,000, in default 11 months’ imprisonment, by the Magistrates’ Court here today for assaulting two assistant health officers and threatening another during a smoking enforcement operation at a café in Jalan Satok on August 31.
Bolhassan Karim, 56, pleaded guilty to three separate charges before Magistrates Nursyaheeqa Nazwa Radzali, Ling Hui Chuan and Leona Dominic Mojiliu.
For the first and third charges, he was charged under Section 332 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt to public servants while they were carrying out their lawful duties.
Magistrate Nursyaheeqa imposed a fine of RM2,000, in default two months’ imprisonment, for the first charge, while Magistrate Ling fined him RM5,000, in default three months’ imprisonment, for the third charge.
For the second charge, Bolhassan was charged under Section 506 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation after threatening another assistant health officer.
Magistrate Leona sentenced him to a fine of RM4,000, in default six months’ imprisonment.
The court heard that the offences occurred at about 9:35 am at a café along Jalan Satok.
According to the facts of the case, three assistant health officers, who were in plain clothes, had entered the premises to conduct a smoking enforcement operation under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852).
During the inspection, the officers issued a compound notice to Bolhassan for smoking in a prohibited area and instructed him to cooperate by signing the notice.
However, the accused suddenly became aggressive and assaulted two of the officers by punching one on the right shoulder and another on the forehead.
Both victims sustained injuries and later sought treatment at a hospital.
The court was also told that Bolhassan threatened another assistant health officer, causing the officer to fear for his safety.
Following the incident, a police report was lodged, leading to the accused’s arrest in Petra Jaya on the same day.
The prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutors, Muhammad Afiq Safly Nor Kazly and Ahmad Fauzulutfi Suriani, together with prosecuting officer, Inspector Siti Radhiah Abdul Rahman.
The accused was not represented by counsel.
