By Kamariah Khalidi
KUALA LUMPUR – The henna based products entrepreneur couple has been sentenced to one day in prison and RM2,500 fine each by the Kuala Lumpur Magistrate Court today for giving fake written information to the police to travel interstate last month.
Magistrate Wong Chai Sia delivered the verdict on Iram Naz Hafiz Sabir Muhammed, 25, and her husband, Azharique Shah Abdul Jalil, 23, after the duo pleaded guilty on the charges read to them.
The court also also ordered the one day jail sentence to begin from the date of the verdict today and one month imprisonment in lieu, should they fail to pay the fine. The couple paid the fine.
The couple was charged with jointly making a permit application during the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) to travel interstate to Johor and gave fake written information to the Police Station Chief, Assistant Superintendent Fairul Nizam Anuar.
The offence was committed at the Wangsa Maju Police Station at 2.00 pm on 15 March 2021.
The charges were framed under Section 22 (d) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342), read together with Section 34 Penal Code, punishable under Section 24 of Act 342.
Upon conviction, they could be fined not more than RM100,000 pr imprisoned for a period of not more than seven years or both.
Earlier, Deputy Public Prosecutor, Wan Ahmad Hakimi Wan Ahmad Jaafar suggested that for the interest of the public, the two accused should be imprisoned to set example to all, taking into consideration that they action was a health risk during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Considering the Insta Story uploade by Iram Naz on her Instagram account contained words that should not be written as the CMCO has given impact to the public as everyone are not allowed to travel interstate.
“Many civilians are affected as they could not travel interstate. Although leniency are given, however, they should not be abused. Thus, I request that it should be taken seriously by everyone so that they would not repeat the similar offence,” he said.
The unrepresented duo appeal to the court to consider a lighter punishment as they need to support their family.
According to Iram Naz, the booking of the resort was made in December last year prior to the CMCO and it had to be shifted to a new date due to the flood.
However, the hotel refused to refund their deposit and she had postponed their travel date to their wedding anniversary on 17 March.
“We appeal not to be jailed. We regret and promise not to repeat the offence,” said Iram Naz in tears.
While delivering the sentence, Chai Sia stated that the accused should not have continued with their journey despite they could not cancel their booking or they get a refund.
“If it is due to work, you need to state it clearly to the police. Although you have an address there, in your Insta Story, it showed that you were at another place,” she said.
Earlier, the story of the young entrepreneur and her husband who travelled interstate for honeymoon has gone viral in the social media. Several pictures and short video clips on Twitter alleged that the woman has obtained the police approval to travel interstate.
However, most netizens were dissatisfied with the action of the woman and saw it as selfish. It also created arguments as they travelled interstate for honeymoon. -MalaysiaGazette
