Showing remorse: Ng (centre) being escorted by policemen. He pleaded guilty to insulting behaviour and intent to cause a breach of the peace. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
BALIK PULAU: A senior citizen thought it was funny when he claimed his friend had a bomb in his bag. It was not.
Instead, he got fined RM100 after pleading guilty to insulting behaviour and intent to cause a breach of the peace.
Ng Kok Yeow, 64, said “salah” (guilty) immediately when the charges were read to him before Magistrate Chia Huey Ting here yesterday.
He was then fined RM100 in default of 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.
Earlier, lawyer Hazarul Iqram Rozahan from the National Legal Aid Foundation said Ng had saved the court time and expense by pleading guilty.
“He works as a trader and earns RM1,000 a month. 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.
On Wednesday, it was reported that two men were detained after one of them made a false bomb threat at the airport.
Southwest 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. Police detained both men,” he said.
