A 31-year-old man who went viral for chasing a police officer while armed at a restaurant last week has been fined RM9,100 by the Magistrate’s Court in Telok Datok on Tuesday. The accused, identified as P Mahendran, pleaded guilty to four charges read in Tamil before Magistrate Maslinda Selamat.
Mahendran, a lorry driver, faces a jail term of 22 months if he fails to settle the fine imposed by the court. The case has drawn public attention, highlighting concerns over violent outbursts in public spaces and their potential consequences.
According to the first charge, the accused committed mischief by damaging plates, dining tables and other items inside the restaurant, causing losses to the owner, Tiew Siew Ban. The offence falls under Section 426 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both upon conviction.
He was also charged under Section 352 of the Penal Code for using criminal force against the same victim, an offence punishable by up to three months in jail, a fine of up to RM1,000, or both. In a separate charge, Mahendran admitted to scratching a police Honda Civic using a rattan stick, resulting in damages amounting to RM3,700. This offence is punishable under Section 427, which provides for imprisonment between one and five years, or a fine, or both.
The fourth charge involved the use of criminal force against a police officer, Corporal Mohamad Fazlan Azir, with the intention of deterring him from carrying out his duties. Under Section 353 of the Penal Code, the offence carries a potential sentence of up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.
All offences were committed at a restaurant along Jalan Pandan 2, Telok Mengkuang, between 3.15pm and 3.30pm on April 8. Deputy Public Prosecutor Muhammad Amirul Syafiq Yazid urged the court to impose an appropriate sentence, citing public interest and the extent of damage caused.
However, counsel from the National Legal Aid Foundation (YBGK), Muhd Muqri Mohd Khairi, appealed for leniency, noting that the accused had no prior criminal record. He explained that the incident stemmed from a misunderstanding over a food payment dispute, adding that Mahendran has expressed remorse and pledged not to repeat such behaviour.
Earlier reports indicated that police were alerted to a man running amok at the restaurant, where he was armed with a meat cleaver and a rattan stick. Several items were destroyed, including three vehicles belonging to members of the public. The suspect was eventually apprehended at the scene.
