By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, Nov 4: The Magistrates Court has issued a peace bond against a man involved in a minor dispute over an RM0.40 payment discrepancy at a local food stall.
Magistrate Mason Jaron Lenya Barayan ordered Mohd Ariff Abdul Hamid to be bonded for six months in the amount of RM500 with a local surety, to prevent further incidents. Two other individuals involved, Chai Chen Thai and Mya Li Juin, were released from further action.
The case arose from an altercation on Oct 6, 2024, at around 1.19pm, when the complainant and his girlfriend reportedly sustained minor bruises during a scuffle. The complainant, a 35-year-old self-employed manager of a travel company, encountered issues while purchasing drinks at a stall. He bought two bottles of soy milk but was confronted by an employee, Mohd Ariff, for allegedly underpaying by RM0.40.
When the complainant attempted to contact the stall owner to report Mohd Ariff’s behaviour, Mohd Ariff allegedly became aggressive, challenging the complainant to a fight outside the shop and making verbal threats.
According to the police report, the situation escalated when, as the complainant and his girlfriend were leaving, Mohd Ariff allegedly grabbed the complainant’s arm and tried to start a physical altercation. During the struggle, Mohd Ariff reportedly seized and later returned the girlfriend’s mobile phone after she had recorded his actions, which likely further escalated the confrontation.
Medical reports from Sarawak General Hospital, dated Oct 7, 2024, confirmed that both Chai and Li sustained minor injuries in the incident, for which the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) had requested for documentation.
Chai and Li were represented by counsel Ralph Lee. — DayakDaily
