By Suraini Andokong
Indonesian jailed 25 years for slashing wife with machete
KOTA KINABALU: An Indonesian man was jailed 25 years by the Sessions Court here yesterday for slashing his wife with a machete.
Judge Azreena Aziz imposed the sentence on Polikarpus Braham Herman, 52, after he pleaded guilty to the charge under Section 326 of the Penal Code, punishable under Section 326A of the same code which carries a jail term of up to 40 years and a fine or whipping, upon conviction.
The court also ordered the accused to pay RM10,000 in compensation to the victim and failing to pay, he would face another six months’ jail.
The unrepresented accused admitted to causing grievous hurt to his spouse using the sharp weapon at a grocery shop at Kampung Bawan in Membakut, Beaufort.
The prosecution told the court that the accused had slashed his wife and went to tell his nephew about that, who later surrendered him to the police for further action.
During the incident, the victim tried to run away but the accused continuously slashed her until she fell.
The victim suffered slash wounds on her shoulder and both hands.
In pleading for a lenient sentence, the accused told the court that he had been in Sabah for 35 years and was married to the victim for 28 years.
He also said after the incident, he did not run away but actually told his nephew about the incident.
The accused further asked that his permanent resident status not to be retracted.
In reply, the prosecution urged the court to impose a deterrent sentence as the accused as a husband should protect his wife.
The prosecution further said the accused had stabbed and slashed the wife multiple times and even when the victim tried to escape, the accused still attacked the victim until she fell at the crime scene.
The prosecution also informed the court that the victim was still unwell.