Man who attempted to steal metal from ART construction site in Kuching gets 6 months’ jail

by · Borneo Post Online
Photo shows the exterior of the Kuching Court Complex. — Photo by Chimon Upon

KUCHING (Nov 7): The Magistrates’ Court here today sentenced a man who attempted to steal steel bars from an Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) construction site to six months in jail.

Magistrate Syarifah Fatimah Azura Wan Ali imposed the sentence on Abdul Haffiz Abdul Karim, 40, after he pleaded guilty to a charge under Section 379 of the Penal Code read together with Section 511 of the same Code.

The Section provides for a jail term of up to seven years, or a fine, or both upon conviction.

Abdul Haffiz committed the offence at an ART construction site near the Jalan Pending traffic light intersection here at around 9am on Nov 4.

Based on the facts of the case, the complainant, representing the contractor, was tasked with overseeing the area when he noticed Abdul Haffiz loitering suspiciously around the ART project construction site and cutting steel bars meant for the project.

The complainant had also spotted Abdul Haffiz several times before.

He managed to apprehend Abdul Haffiz and brought him to a police station for further action.

The police arrested Abdul Haffiz and seized his tools including a hacksaw and wire cutters.

ASP Arman Ibrahim handled the prosecution while Abdul Haffiz was unrepresented by legal counsel.