The Sepang magistrates’ court today sentenced Chinese national Fang Fuyuan, 31, to a month in prison and a fine of RM2,000 for hurting an immigration officer at KLIA Terminal 1 on Aug 13.
Berita Harian reported that she pleaded guilty to the charge under Section 332 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt to a public servant. For this offence, a person can be jailed up to three years, fined, or both, upon conviction.
According to the charge, she had intentionally caused hurt to immigration officer Nurdiana Atirah Shapinaz Abdul Rahman, who was working at the immigration counter.
Fang’s lawyers Tai Ying Fong and Jason Anthony had appealed for a lighter sentence on the basis of her young age and lack of a criminal record.
“(Fang) has a husband and two small children, aged one and a half and five years, who are completely dependent on her.
“The family is in Malaysia without the support of other family members.
“This was a case of misunderstanding and miscommunication with the immigration officer. It occurred spontaneously and was not planned,” they said.
However, deputy public prosecutor Luvithaa Veerasamy pressed for a fitting sentence that would serve as a deterrent to the accused and the public.
Fang will serve her sentence starting from the date of her arrest on Aug 13. If she fails to pay the RM2,000 fine, she will serve another two months.
Earlier, KLIA deputy police chief Albany Hamzah said statements from four people, including the victim, were recorded in connection with the case.
The incident took place at about 7.40pm at the departure hall, when the group was undergoing immigration clearance.
The woman was said to have acted aggressively and injured an immigration officer during the process, claiming she was worried about missing her flight.
The officer sustained a swollen left eye and pain on the right side of her head following the assault. She was sent to Cyberjaya Hospital for treatment.
