KUCHING: The Magistrate’s Court here sentenced a man to 27 months in prison for slashing his daughter’s boyfriend on the head with a machete in a fit of rage.
Jali Sagai, 54, pleaded guilty before Magistrate Ling Hui Chuan to a charge under Section 324 of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term of up to 10 years, a fine, or whipping, or any two of such punishments.
Based on the case facts, the incident took place at their flat in Matang at around 7:00 am on August 9.
Jali had demanded money from his daughter, but she told him she did not have the amount he wanted as she had yet to receive her salary from her job as a restaurant helper.
Unhappy with her response, Jali assaulted her before retrieving a machete from his bedroom and attempting to slash her.
The woman’s boyfriend, who was present, intervened by pushing her into a bedroom to protect her.
Angered by the boyfriend’s actions, Jali chased him with the weapon and struck the main door, where the victim was hiding behind.
When the victim peeked from behind the door to check on his girlfriend’s safety, Jali slashed the right side of his head.
The victim was later taken to hospital for treatment, while the daughter called the police for assistance.
Investigations found that Jali had long harboured resentment towards his daughter for refusing to give him money for food whenever he asked, as well as not cooking or caring for him.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Adriana Maisarah Mohd Farid urged the court to impose a deterrent sentence, taking into account public interest and to prevent a repeat of such behaviour.
Ling ordered Jali’s prison term to take effect immediately.
