SHAH ALAM, Feb 11: Lorry driver K. Kanapathi, 36, paid a fine of RM100 after pleading guilty to a charge under Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act at the magistrate’s court here today.
Kanapathi on Feb 7, this year, had been filmed hurling a traffic cone at a car in a road rage incident on the Damansara-Puchong Expressway. A police report was lodged on the incident, before he was remanded by the police and charged for the offence.
Magistrate Muhammad Syafiq Sulaiman who imposed the fine on Kanapathi, 36, issued a stern warning to him: “The court reminds you to control your emotions and to always be considerate while on the road.”
Kanapathi was represented by his lawyers, Muhamad Saifullah Muhamad Azmi and M. Partiben.
During the court proceedings, Kanapathi admitted to behaving in an insulting manner intended to provoke a breach of peace by shouting profanities at a foreign motorist, Daniel Owen Flower, at about 5.25pm at the highway toll plaza on Feb 7.
Kanapathi is said to have alighted from his Perodua Axia, hurled a traffic cone and shouted an obscenity at Flower during the incident.
In mitigation, defence lawyer Muhamad Saifullah, said his client, a father of two young children who earns RM1,500 a month, was remorseful.
“The incident occurred as the victim allegedly flashed his middle finger at the accused.
“My client lost his cool. He knows he has broken the law and promises not to repeat the offence.
“He apologises to the court and will be more mindful in the future. This is his first offence and he has no prior conviction.
M. Partiben added that Kanapathi had been remanded for two days, which had served as a lesson to him.
Meanwhile, the lawyers also added that their client intended to lodge a police report against Flower for allegedly flashing his middle finger at him during the incident.
According to Subang Jaya district police chief Assistant Commissioner Wan Azlan Wan Mamat, the incident is said to have happened due to a misunderstanding when the suspect attempted to enter the Touch ‘n Go lane and nearly collided with another vehicle.
The owner of the other vehicle, lodged a police report on Feb 9. He had recorded the incident from his car’s dashboard.
— WE