BETONG: A man was sentenced to five months’ imprisonment by the Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday for obstructing a public officer during a smoking enforcement operation after failing to pay a RM1,500 fine.
He pleaded guilty before Magistrate Nurul Intan Fareena Zainal Abidin and was sent to Sri Aman Prison to serve his sentence.
According to the fact of the case, the incident took place on November 8 at a food stall in Pusa, where a team from the Saratok District Health Office, comprising an assistant environmental health officer and a public health assistant, was conducting checks under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852).
The accused was found smoking in a prohibited eating area. When asked to provide his personal details for the issuance of a compound notice, he refused to cooperate and fled from the enforcement team.
The incident was captured on a body-worn camera by one of the officers.
A police report was lodged at Betong Police Station the following day, and an investigation was opened by the IPD Betong Criminal Investigation Division (CID).
He was subsequently charged under Section 186 of the Penal Code for obstructing a public officer and pleaded guilty.
The Betong Health Office reminded the public that strict action will be taken against anyone who obstructs public officers in the performance of their duties, urging full cooperation during enforcement operations to safeguard the well-being and safety of the community.
The prosecution case was handled by Deputy Public Prosecutor, Muhammad Farhan Mohd Fauzi.
