SIBU: A 23-year-old man was sentenced to a total of 10 years in jail and fined RM3,000, with an additional three months’ imprisonment in default, by the Mukah Sessions Court on Tuesday (Oct 15) for committing arson and criminal intimidation against his father.
Judge Musyiri Peet handed down the sentences to Zeali Melana from Jalan Mukah/Selangau Spg Tiris, Mukah after he pleaded guilty to both charges.
For the first charge, Zeali was sentenced to six years in prison and fined RM3,000, with a default of three months’ jail, for committing arson with intent to cause property damage by setting fire to the hallway of Rh Tawi, Kampung Ulu Penipah Baru, Mukah, on July 2 at around 2.30pm.
The offence, framed under Section 435 of the Penal Code, carries a maximum sentence of 14 years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.
On the second charge, he was sentenced to four years in jail for criminal intimidation, after threatening to cause grievous harm to his father, Melana Jambi, 52, at the same location and time.
This offence, under Section 506 of the Penal Code, carries a maximum sentence of seven years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.
Judge Musyiri ordered the sentences to run concurrently, starting from the date of Zeali’s arrest on July 2.
According to deputy public prosecutor Mohamad Amirul Hakim, on July 2 at around 2.30pm, the accused set fire to the hallway of Rh Tawi using petrol.
Fortunately, the fire was quickly extinguished by the longhouse residents. The incident occurred after the complainant, Zeali’s father, refused to let him use his car due to his intoxicated state.
The court was also told that Zeali had a history of drug abuse and frequently displayed uncontrollable behaviour, leading to the incident. A police report was subsequently lodged.
Acting on information received later that evening, around 10.30pm, a police team arrested the accused and seized a gallon of petrol and a knife from him.
Zeali, who did not have legal representation, pleaded for leniency, expressing regret for his actions.
