SHAH ALAM, July 8 — A salesman was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment and two strokes of the cane by the Sessions Court here today after he pleaded guilty to causing injuries to a motorcyclist on the Federal Highway last month.

Judge ‘Ainul Bashiirah Dona Don Biyajid imposed the sentence on Azmi Jantan, 42, and ordered the jail term to run from the date of his arrest on June 11.

The accused was charged with voluntarily causing grievous hurt to the motorcyclist using a meat cleaver, a weapon capable of causing death, at KM14.6 of the motorcycle lane along the Federal Highway near Section 13 at about 8.19 am on June 11.

The charge was framed under Section 326 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, and may also include a fine or whipping upon conviction.

According to the facts of the case, the victim, an executive at a postal and courier services company, was riding to work in Kuala Lumpur when he stopped at the motorcycle lane along the highway before being approached by the accused, who then attacked him with the cleaver.

The victim suffered serious injuries, including fractures to his shoulder, left arm, fingers and wrist, as well as injuries to his head and left arm.

Earlier, Azmi, who was unrepresented, pleaded for a lighter sentence. However, deputy public prosecutor Amir Saifullah Mohammad Sallehuddin urged the court to impose a heavier sentence due to the severity of the victim’s injuries.

“The weapon used was a meat cleaver, a sharp weapon capable of causing death, and the accused was fortunate that the victim survived.

“Public interest must also be considered as the incident arose from a trivial matter involving honking on the highway, which could create fear among other road users.

“A deterrent sentence is necessary to curb road bullying and extreme road rage,” he said. — Bernama