Man in Sibu gets five years’ jail, one stroke for possessing kerambit

SIBU (Oct 9): A 35-year-old man was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment and one stroke of the cane for possessing a kerambit (curved knife) without a lawful purpose.

Sessions Court Judge Musyiri Peet ordered Nicholas Thomas Samuel’s sentence to take effect from the date of his arrest on Sept 15, this year.

Nicholas pleaded guilty to a charge under Section 6(1) of Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapon 1958, which carries a jail term of between five and ten years, and whipping, upon conviction.

According to the charge, Nicholas committed the offence at a jetty in Sungai Kanowit at around 3.20pm on Sept 15, this year.

Based on the fact of case, two police personnel went to the jetty when they noticed the accused acting suspiciously in a boat.

Upon arrival, they introduced themselves and showed their warrant card, but the accused refused to cooperate.

He became aggressive and attacked the two police personnel using the kerambit, causing one of them to sustain serious injuries to his left arm and lower abdomen.

The accused was arrested at Sungai Batang Rajang at around 5pm on the same day.

Deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Mohamad Amirul Hakim Mohamad Zamri prosecuted the case while the accused were unrepresented by legal counsel.