KOTA KINABALU: A 39-year-old man was sentenced to 360 hours of community service by the Tawau Magistrate’s Court after admitting to making a bomb-related joke at Tawau Airport in July.
Sabrie Nulsarie, a lorry driver, was sentenced on Monday after pleading guilty to causing public alarm during the incident that took place at the airport’s departure hall at about 3.15pm on July 15.
The court, presided over by magistrate Don Stiwin Malanjum, ordered that he complete four hours of community service daily over a three-month period.
In addition, he was placed on a RM1,000 bond.
The incident occurred when Sabrie allegedly made a comment suggesting there “might be a bomb” while a police officer was inspecting the luggage of a female passenger.
His remarks sparked concern, leading to his immediate arrest, though no suspicious items were found.
Sabrie was charged under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, which carries a penalty of up to two years in prison, a fine, or both.
Asst Supt Nur Intan Jamrin prosecuted, while Sabrie was represented by Jhessary P. Kang of the National Legal Aid Foundation.
In his defence, Sabrie’s lawyer appealed for leniency, noting his early guilty plea and his responsibility as a father of five young children.
This helped mitigate his sentence, with the court acknowledging his cooperation in saving judicial resources.
