A former policeman was fined RM4,500 by the Magistrate’s Court here today after pleading guilty to threatening to kill his wife last week.
Muhd Sirrul Akmal Rasali, 43, entered the guilty plea after the charge was read before Magistrate Wan Ashrul Afham Mohamad Azmi.
The court heard that the accused had threatened to kill his 42-year-old wife, causing her to fear for her safety at their home in Kampung Semat Jal, Wakaf Bharu, at about 9am on Aug 8.
The offence was charged under Section 506 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum jail term of seven years, a fine, or both upon conviction.
Based on the facts of the case, the accused had allegedly become enraged in the kitchen of the house before behaving aggressively towards his wife.
During the incident, he allegedly issued death threats against the woman, with the confrontation witnessed by her mother and child.
Fearing for her safety, the victim contacted the Tumpat district police headquarters before a report was made and the accused was arrested.
Investigations found that the incident was believed to have stemmed from the accused’s dissatisfaction with his mother-in-law, who he claimed frequently interfered in his marriage.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Inspector Megat Asyraf Megat Ishak appeared for the prosecution, while lawyer Afiqah Amran from the National Legal Aid Foundation represented the accused.
Megat Asyraf called for an appropriate sentence, while Afiqah sought leniency, saying her client regretted his actions and worked as a village labourer earning about RM50 a day.
The court was also told that Muhd Sirrul Akmal has two school-going children and is receiving psychiatric treatment at Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II in Kota Bharu for mental health problems.
After considering the submissions, the court imposed a RM4,500 fine or nine months’ imprisonment if the accused fails to pay the fine.
