SHAH ALAM: The jail sentence for a married couple found guilty of using criminal force against a Shah Alam City Hall (MBSA) enforcement officer for issuing them a parking summons last November has been increased to five months from the initial 14 days.
Lor Ka Hoo, 36, and his wife Tan Sit Fun, 31, who were initially sentenced by the Shah Alam magistrate's court on Nov 25, will now have to spend five months in prison.
Judicial Commissioner Wong Teck Meng passed the sentence and ordered it to begin from Friday.
Wong made his decision after hearing the appeal against the 14-day sentence by the prosecution represented by Selangor Prosecution Unit chief Muhamad Iskandar Ahmad as well as DPPs Mohd Fairuz Mohd Johari and Ng Wee Li.
The Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) had filed the appeal after the initial sentencing given the gravity of the offence.
The decision automatically sets aside the couple's cross appeal against the 14-day jail sentence.
JC Wong, however, maintained the RM3,000 fine.
Lor and Tan had pleaded guilty to using criminal force against MBSA officer Nurul Ain Isa, 24, with intent to intimidate her against carrying out her duties as a civil servant at Bukit Rahman Putra, Sungai Buloh at about 10.30am on Nov 24.
In his judgment, JC Wong said both the accused should not have acted such given the cost of the parking ticket and summons was merely between RM10 and RM15.
"Both of them should have acted calmly, received the summons and paid it without being rough with the enforcement personnel.
"Obstructing a civil servant's duties is a serious offence,'' said JC Wong.
He added the court felt a deterrent sentence must be passed so that the couple would not repeat the offence.
It would also stand as a reminder to members of the public to not commit similar offences.
The couple's defence counsel Gabriel Susayan said his clients were punished by the media, which reported their case widely.
A two-minute video recording of the incident, which went viral after it was uploaded on Facebook, raised the ire of the public.