M'sian man, 65, who slapped non-Muslim for eating during Ramadan, given discharge not amounting to acquittal

The elderly man who slapped a 21-year-old non-Muslim man in Johor Bahru for eating during the month of Ramadan has been given a discharge not amounting to acquittal by the Johor Bahru magistrates' court.

He was accompanied by his son when he appeared in court.

Pleaded guilty but disputed facts

According to Malaysia media, the 65-year-old initially pleaded guilty to a charge of voluntarily causing hurt.

However, he disputed the facts of the case when it was read out in court.

Sin Chew Daily reported that he disagreed with the description that the victim's face was swollen.

His guilty plea was then rejected by the magistrate and he was ordered to enter his defence.

The prosecution then requested a discharge not amounting to acquittal, and added that they had been ordered to refer the case to the Attorney-General's Chambers.

According to Johor Bahru police, the elderly man is a 65-year-old Malaysian with no criminal record.

If convicted, he may be sentenced to a maximum of one year in jail, fined up to RM2,000 (almost S$600), or both.

Left photo via Sin Chew, right image via @bingbinge656/X