JOHOR BAHRU, Oct 16 — A 26-year-old man was fined RM5,000 by the Magistrate’s Court here today for publicly splashing red paint inside a hair salon at a shopping mall last Saturday.
The fine was imposed after the accused, Ahmad Abu Bakar, pleaded guilty when the charge was read out before Magistrate A. Shaarmini.
According to the charge sheet, Ahmad, together with another individual who is still at large, threw a plastic container filled with red paint inside the salon.
During the incident, a customer was partially splashed with the paint, which also caused damage to some of the salon’s furniture.
The offence occurred at 11.50am on October 11.
Ahmad was charged under Section 427 of the Penal Code for mischief causing damage, which carries a punishment of one to five years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.
The case was prosecuted by Deputy Public Prosecutor Nur Fatihah Mohd Nizam. Ahmad represented himself in court.
He requested a reduced sentence, citing that he did not have a permanent job and was supporting his elderly parents.
The court then imposed a fine of RM5,000, with a 12-month imprisonment term if he fails to pay.
A widely shared image showing the salon’s interior defaced with red paint.
The incident first came to light on Sunday when reports emerged that two men had splashed red paint inside the salon at a popular shopping centre.
Initial investigations revealed that the men casually entered the salon and threw a plastic bag containing red paint into the premises.
The incident was also shared widely on social media, showing the salon’s interior defaced with red streaks.
Johor Bahru North police chief Assistant Commissioner Balveer Singh Mahindar Singh said the salon suffered RM15,000 in damages from the attack.
