By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, Aug 29: A domestic dispute over rental proceeds escalated into violence when a man threatened to kill his elder brother and sister-in-law with a machete, landing him a 16-month jail sentence.
Yap Hon Choi, 40, pleaded guilty before Senior Assistant Registrar Abdurrahman Abrar Jarni to two counts of criminal intimidation under Section 506 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.
The incident occurred at a house in Batu Kawa on August 25, when Yap confronted his 42-year-old brother, accusing him of withholding rental income. After a heated argument, Yap left the house, armed himself with a machete, and returned to issue death threats against both his brother and 41-year-old sister-in-law.
Alarmed for their safety, the victims lodged a police report. Yap was arrested the same day, with closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage confirming his actions.
The court imposed an eight-month jail term for each charge, to be served concurrently starting today.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Umi Syukriah Harun handled the case, while Yap was unrepresented. — DayakDaily
