Malaysia man who slapped non Muslim for eating during Ramadan gets discharge not amounting to acquittal

JOHOR BAHRU - A Malaysian man accused of slapping a non-Muslim for eating in public during Ramadan has claimed trial at the Magistrate’s Court in Johor Bahru.

Retiree Abdul Razak Ismail, 65, pleaded not guilty when the charge was read before Magistrate A Shaarmini on the evening of March 19.

He was charged under Section 323 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt to 21-year-old Elijah Ling Zhao Zhong.

Abdul Razak allegedly committed the offence at a mall in Tampoi at about 6.15pm on March 16.

If convicted, he faces a maximum one-year jail term, a fine of up to RM2,000 (S$600),or both.

He was represented by lawyer Salleh Togimin, while Deputy Public Prosecutor Nor Afiqah Musa prosecuted.

DPP Nor Afiqah requested bail to be set at RM8,000, but Mr Salleh appealed for a lower amount, citing his client’s status as a retiree with three children, including a university student.

He also said the accused had cooperated with the authorities from the beginning, including voluntarily attending court.

Abdul Razak was granted bail at RM2,000 and April 29 set for mention.

Earlier the same day, Abdul Razak was granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) in the same court.

This came after the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) had instructed for the case to be DNAA and referred back to the AGC.

The order was issued just moments after the court rejected Abdul Razak’s guilty plea when he disputed the facts of the case despite admitting to injuring the victim.

The order also came as the court was in the midst of setting bail following the case mention. THE STAR/ ASIA NEWS NETWORK

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