BALIK PULAU: A senior citizen who claimed his friend had a bomb in his bag has been fined RM100 after pleading guilty to insulting behaviour with intent to cause a breach of the peace.
Ng Kok Yeow, 64, said "Salah" (guilty) immediately after the charges were read to him before Magistrate Chia Huey Ting here on Friday (March 14).
Ng was then fined RM100 in default three days' jail.
Based on the charge sheet, Ng told a Malaysia Airlines employee that there was a bomb in his friend's bag at a check-in counter at the Penang International Airport in Bayan Lepas at around 10.30pm on Tuesday (March 11).
He was accused of doing so, despite knowing that uttering such words would disrupt order, under Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955.
He was fined the maximum sum provided for in the Section.
Earlier, lawyer Hazarul Iqram Rozahan from the National Legal Aid Foundation said Ng saved the court time and expense by pleading guilty.
"He works as a trader and earns RM1,000.
"He has two children who depend on him," he said.
Deputy public prosecutor R. Lushani urged the court to impose the maximum fine as Ng's act could not be treated as a joke.
"It is a sensitive matter and (such words should not be) uttered especially at a place with high security measures like an airport," she said.
It was reported on Wednesday (March 12) that two men were detained after one of them made a false bomb threat at the check-in counter of the airport.
South-West OCPD Asst Comm Sazalee Adam said the incident prompted immediate security measures by airport authorities.
"A thorough inspection of the luggage confirmed that no hazardous materials were found.
"Despite the absence of any danger, police detained both men for investigation," he said.
