KOTA KINABALU: An elderly man won in his appeal after the High Court here yesterday set aside his conviction of obstructing a forest officer from carrying out his duty.
Justice Datuk Nurchaya Arshad set aside Lantir Bakayas’ two years’ jail and substituted it with RM10,000 fine, in default, six months’ jail.
In allowing the appeal, the court hoped that this case would send a message to the public not to obstruct government servants in carrying out their jobs.
On March 3, 2015, the magistrates’ court in Keningau found Lantir, 57, guilty under Section 31 of the Forest Enactment 1968 which is punishable under Section 33 (1) of the same Enactment.
The indictment carries a maximum fine of RM50,000 or a jail term of up to five years or both, upon conviction.
The accused, who was represented by counsel Ram Singh and YS Lo, had resisted the officer from doing his job at a juncture of an entrance to Batu Tunggul Forest Reserve at Kampung Tataluan in Nabawan at about 9.15am on May 16, 2013.
This case was brought to court on Sept 5, 2014.